His mother, who asked that her last name not be used to protect her son, tells WebMD that Sam's personality changed from happy and easygoing to angry and upset. Ga. Like many parents who feel that medication is not working, or who oppose drug therapy for attention deficit disorder, Amy sought alternatives. One such therapy she tried was neurofeedback, also known as EEG biofeedback. Now, two years later, Sam is a straight A, second-grade student. During neurofeedback, the patient sits in a recliner chair before a computer that displays a video screen similar to that of a Pac-Man game.
Electrodes measure changes in the number and type of brain waves.
The belief is that these subtle shifts in brain waves will translate into increased attention and ability to focus and a decrease in hyperactivity. The computer is like a very high-tech mirror of very subtle things. This is not therapy. This actually produces a change in the brain. While some studies show promising results for neurofeedback in people with ADD, the treatment has not received full acceptance in the medical community.