Results of Neurofeedback in Treatment of Children with ADHD: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

Abstract

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most prevalent disorders in children and adolescents. Neurofeedback, a nonpharmaceutical treatment, has shown promising results. Objective: To review the evidence of efficacy of neurofeedback as a treatment for children and adolescents with ADHD. Method: A systematic review of the specific scientific studies published in 1995-2021, identifying and analyzing randomized controlled trials (RCT). Results: A total of 1636 articles were identified and 165 met inclusion criteria, of which 67 were RCTs. Conclusion: Neurofeedback training was associated with significant long-term reduction in symptoms of ADHD. Though limitations exist regarding conclusions about the specific effects of neurofeedback, the review documents improvements in school, social, and family environments.

Alpha modulation via transcranial alternating current stimulation in adults with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder

“…This therapy intervention aims to improve the self-regulation of brain activity and has been under investigation for almost 50 years (Arns et al, 2014). While some researchers conclude positive effects of neurofeedback on ADHD symptoms (see, e.g., systematic review by Moreno-García et al, 2022) others have been more sceptical (for a systematic review and metaanalysis, see Louthrenoo et al, 2022;Rahmani et al, 2022). Therefore, its efficacy remains unclear.…”

Neurofeedback and meditation technology in outpatient offender treatment: a feasibility and usability pilot study

“…In neurofeedback training, users learn to manipulate their neural activity based on direct feedback from the device. Since neurofeedback has been successfully used in treatment of impulse control problems in non-offenders ( Sokhadze et al, 2008 ; van Doren et al, 2019 ; Hong and Park, 2022 ; Lima et al, 2022 ; Moreno-García et al, 2022 ) and is thought to target neural and cognitive processes that underlie offending behaviors ( Bijlsma et al, 2022 ), it could also be a meaningful neurorehabilitation method in offender treatment ( Van Outsem, 2011 ).…”

Top-down auditory attention modulates neural responses more strongly in neurotypical than ADHD young adults

“…Specifically, functional deficits have been identified via fMRI in cognitive flexibility tasks ( Smith et al, 2006 ), interference suppression tasks ( Vaidya et al, 2005 ), and most relevant for our study, in top-down attentional control tasks ( Heinrichs-Graham et al, 2014 ; Salmi et al, 2018 ; Silberstein et al, 2016 ). These deficits are largely recovered by typically prescribed stimulant therapies like methylphenidate ( Kowalczyk et al, 2019 ) and by attentional training games using neurofeedback ( Butnik, 2005 ; Moradi et al, 2022 ; Moreno-García et al, 2022 ).…”