Does Neurofeedback Have a Therapeutic Role in Children with ADHD?

Neurofeedback was associated with greater improvements than cognitive training or a control condition.

Research is limited on nonpharmacologic treatments for children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Neurofeedback and cognitive training are two forms of computer-based attention training based on brain plasticity and operant conditioning. Researchers in Boston randomly assigned 104 children in second and fourth grade, who had been diagnosed with ADHD by a pediatrician or psychologist based on DSM-4 criteria, to receive neurofeedback, cognitive training, or a control condition.

Neurofeedback trains patients with electroencephalographic sensors embedded in a bicycle helmet to increase their beta waves (an attentive state) and suppress theta waves (a drowsy state) when viewing their brain waves on a computer screen. Patients …

Reviewing Author

Martin T. Stein, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardPearson Neuroscience Advisory Board

Speaker’s bureauAmerican Academy of Pediatrics

RoyaltiesElsevier, Inc.

Editorial boardsJournal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics