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 ) .
A randomized controlled trial into the effects of neurofeedback, methylphenidate, and physical activity on EEG power spectra in children with ADHD.
BACKGROUND The clinical and neurophysiological effects of neurofeedback ( NF ) as treatment for children with ADHD are still unclear . This r and omized controlled trial ( RCT ) examined electroencephalogram ( EEG ) power spectra before and after NF compared to methylpheni date ( MPH ) treatment and physical activity ( PA ) - as semi-active control group - during resting and active ( effortful ) task conditions to determine whether NF can induce sustained alterations in brain function . METHODS Using a multicentre three-way parallel group RCT design , 112 children with a DSM-IV diagnosis of ADHD , aged between 7 and 13 years , were initially included . NF training consisted of 30 sessions of theta/beta training at Cz over a 10-week period . PA training was a semi-active control group , matched in frequency and duration . Methylpheni date was titrated using a double-blind placebo controlled procedure in 6 weeks , followed by a stable dose for 4 weeks . EEG power spectra measures during eyes open ( EO ) , eyes closed ( EC ) and task ( effortful ) conditions were available for 81 children at pre- and postintervention ( n = 29 NF , n = 25 MPH , n = 27 PA ) . CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION Train Your Brain ? Exercise and Neurofeedback Intervention for ADHD , https:// clinical trials.gov/show/;NCT01363544 , Ref . No. NCT01363544 . RESULTS Both NF and MPH result ed in comparable reductions in theta power from pre- to postintervention during the EO condition compared to PA ( ηp ( 2 ) = .08 and .12 ) . For NF , greater reductions in theta were related to greater reductions in ADHD symptoms . During the task condition , only MPH showed reductions in theta and alpha power compared to PA ( ηp ( 2 ) = .10 and .12 ) . CONCLUSIONS This study provides evidence for specific neurophysiological effects after theta/beta NF and MPH treatment in children with ADHD . However , for NF these effects did not generalize to an active task condition , potentially explaining reduced behavioural effects of NF in the classroom
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 ) .