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Current Status of Neurofeedback for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

  • Attention-Deficit Disorder (R Bussing, Section Editor)
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Abstract

As conventional treatments offer incomplete benefit for over 33 % of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and many refuse to try them, additional treatments are needed. One of the most promising is neurofeedback (NF, EEG biofeedback), which trains the brain with real-time video/audio information about its electrical activity measured from scalp electrodes. Since 2010, data from 8 randomized controlled studies of NF have been published with overall mean effect sizes of: 0.40 (all measures), 0.42 (ADHD measures), 0.56 (inattention), and 0.54 (hyperactivity/ impulsivity). Unfortunately, the benefit reported from randomized studies has not been observed in the few small blinded studies conducted. Main study strengths include randomization, evidence-based diagnostic assessments, multi-domain treatment outcomes, use of some type of blinding, and sham control conditions. Main study limitations include lack of large samples, abnormal EEG participant selection, double-blinding, and testing of blind validity and sham inertness. Most recently, a collaborative NF research group has been planning a definitive double-blind well-controlled trial.

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Disclosure

N Lofthouse: none; LE Arnold: advisory board for Biomarin (one time), Noven, Seaside Therapeutics (one time), AstraZeneca (one time), and Shire; payment for lectures, including service on speakers bureau, from Shire; travel/accommodations/meeting expenses reimbursed from Shire; and grants from Shire, CureMark, and Lilly; E. Hurt: none.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, The Ohio State University, 1670 Upham Drive, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA

    Nicholas Lofthouse & L. Eugene Arnold

  2. Nisonger Center, The Ohio State University, 291C McCampbell Hall, 1581 Dodd Drive, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA

    Elizabeth Hurt

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  1. Nicholas Lofthouse
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  2. L. Eugene Arnold
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Correspondence to Nicholas Lofthouse.

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Lofthouse, N., Arnold, L.E. & Hurt, E. Current Status of Neurofeedback for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Curr Psychiatry Rep 14, 536–542 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-012-0301-z

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