When only trials are considered that include probably blinded ratings or those that are sham-NF or semi-active controlled or those that employed optimally titration procedures , the findings do not support theta/beta NF as a st and alone treatment for children or adolescents with ADHD .
This review concludes that the present role of NF in treating children diagnosed with ADHD should be considered as complementary in a multimodal treatment approach , individualized to the needs of the child , and may be considered a viable alternative to stimulants for a specific group of patients .
This systematic review aim ed to evaluate the efficacy of neurofeedback ( NF ) compared to stimulant medication in treating children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) .
An RCT into the effects of neurofeedback on neurocognitive functioning compared to stimulant medication and physical activity in children with ADHD
Neurofeedback ( NFB ) is a potential alternative treatment for children with ADHD that aims to optimize brain activity . Whereas most studies into NFB have investigated behavioral effects , less attention has been paid to the effects on neurocognitive functioning . The present r and omized controlled trial ( RCT ) compared neurocognitive effects of NFB to ( 1 ) optimally titrated methylpheni date ( MPH ) and ( 2 ) a semi-active control intervention , physical activity ( PA ) , to control for non-specific effects . Using a multicentre three-way parallel group RCT design , children with ADHD , aged 7–13 , were r and omly allocated to NFB ( n = 39 ) , MPH ( n = 36 ) or PA ( n = 37 ) over a period of 10–12 weeks . NFB comprised theta/beta training at CZ . The PA intervention was matched in frequency and duration to NFB . MPH was titrated using a double-blind placebo controlled procedure to determine the optimal dose . Neurocognitive functioning was assessed using parameters derived from the auditory oddball- , stop-signal- and visual spatial working memory task . Data collection took place between September 2010 and March 2014 . Intention-to-treat analyses showed improved attention for MPH compared to NFB and PA , as reflected by decreased response speed during the oddball task [ ηp2 = 0.21 , p < 0.001 ] , as well as improved inhibition , impulsivity and attention , as reflected by faster stop signal reaction times , lower commission and omission error rates during the stop-signal task ( range ηp2 = 0.09–0.18 , p values < 0.008 ) . Working memory improved over time , irrespective of received treatment ( ηp2 = 0.17 , p < 0.001 ) . Overall , stimulant medication showed superior effects over NFB to improve neurocognitive functioning . Hence , the findings do not support theta/beta training applied as a st and -alone treatment in children with ADHD
When only trials are considered that include probably blinded ratings or those that are sham-NF or semi-active controlled or those that employed optimally titration procedures , the findings do not support theta/beta NF as a st and alone treatment for children or adolescents with ADHD .
This review concludes that the present role of NF in treating children diagnosed with ADHD should be considered as complementary in a multimodal treatment approach , individualized to the needs of the child , and may be considered a viable alternative to stimulants for a specific group of patients .
This systematic review aim ed to evaluate the efficacy of neurofeedback ( NF ) compared to stimulant medication in treating children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) .