Does Neurofeedback Work for ADHD?

Evidence for efficacy of electroencephalographic neurofeedback training for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is controversial. To address this issue, investigators with pharmaceutical-company funding conducted a meta-analysis of neurofeedback studies that used either frequency band training, which targets ratios of theta to beta frequencies, or slow cortical potential training, which uses cued-wave information.

Of 247 publications, 13 met inclusion criteria of randomized, controlled trials in children aged 3 to 18 years (N=520; 20–40 neurofeedback sessions). Only studies using likely nonblinded raters to determine outcomes showed significant effects with neurofeedback. No significant effects on ADHD were found in studies using…