ADHD and Neurofeedback

Posted by admin in Health on 04 25th, 2006 | no responses

Until recently, there have been no well-done studies on the use of neurofeedback for ADHD. However, the January 2005 edition of, “Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America,” had an excellent review in the essay, “Elelectroencephalographic Biofeedback (Neurotherapy) as a Treatment for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Rationale and Empirical Foundation,” by Vincent Monastra.

Although there have been many one case studies, there have now been four controlled group studies. Response was comparable to response to medications, with approximately 75% responding positively. Approximately 50 - 80 % of responders to neurofeedback were able to reduce (not stop) their medications.

While neurofeedback is increasingly enduring, with decreased symptoms persisting much longer after discontinuation of treatment than after discontinuation of medications, it is not “permanent,” and many society return for intermittent “booster” sessions.

Just as with the use of medications, the children who did the best were part of a comprehensive treatment program that included nutritional counseling, medications, parent counseling to improve parenting skills and improve social functioning at domestic, individual educational plans with the schools, and social skills training. Neurofeedback or medications should be just one small part of a comprehensive treatment plan.

I have an associate who is an ADHD expert and

uses neurofeedback. We sometimes share patients. My impressions are that whether someone is cooperative with it (all children aren’t) and total the due number of sessions, that approximately 70% have some response. However, as with medications, a positive percentage don’t reply, and of those that do it might be a small, medium, or meaningful response. Those with a minimal or moderate response often reply better to the combination of a medication and neurofeedback.

There are other new treatments that are promising but not yet proven. Cerebellar stimulation, such as with the Interactive Metronome, is promising, and we’re learning that the cerebellum is increasingly involved with ADHD than once believed. Some studies show that omega-3 fatty acids help, while others don’t, and the same is true for antioxidants such as super blue-green algae. Dr. Hallowell’s new book, “Delivered from Distraction,” addresses many of these treatments.

If you want to try neurofeedback yourself, I believe there is a home version available.

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