Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Neurofeedback Associated with Neurocognitive-Rehabilitation Training on Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

  • Published:
International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Neurofeedback is a computer-based behavior training gaining increasing interest in the treatment of children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but is not a complete therapy for these patients. To meet the need for a more integrative approach, this study used neurofeedback with cognitive rehabilitation therapy as a more comprehensive approach for children with ADHD. Thirty children (females) were selected randomly from visitors of 5 clinics in Tehran city. Subjects were placed into 2 experimental groups and 1 control group. Groups were matched based on age, gender and socioeconomic status. One experimental group solely received neurofeedback in 10 sessions, the other experimental group received neurofeedback with cognitive rehabilitation therapy, and the control group left therapy received no therapy or left in the initial stages of therapy. Integrated visual and auditory test (IVA) was used pre-test and post-test to measure attention and impulsivity in children with ADHD, in addition to Neurocognitive Joyful Attentive Training Intervention (NEJATI). Data was analyzed using dependent T-test and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). There are meaningful differences between all groups in attention and impulsivity factors. The group who received neurofeedback with cognitive rehabilitation therapy showed more improvement in attention and impulsivity factors compared to the group who received only neurofeedback and the control group with no treatment. There was also a significant difference between the solely neurofeedback group and control group in the attention factor. Neurofeedback is a facilitator therapy to improve the attention factor in children with ADHD, but is not a complete therapy due to its lack of support in performance factors. A complementary therapy such as cognitive rehabilitation therapy that focuses more on performance factors would be a more effective therapy as it leads to more positive effects on impulsivity and hyperactivity.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adler, L. D., & Nierenberg, A. A. (2010). Review of medication adherence in children and adults with ADHD. Postgraduate Medicine, 122(1), 184–191.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ahmadlou, M., Rostami, R., & Sadeghi, V. (2012). Which attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder children will be improved through neurofeedback therapy? A graph theoretical approach to neocortex neuronal network of ADHD. Neuroscience Letters, 516(1), 156–160.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Arns, M., de Ridder, S., Strehl, U., Breteler, M., & Coenen, A. (2009). Efficacy of neurofeedback treatment in ADHD: the effects on inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity: a meta-analysis. Clinical EEG and Neuroscience, 40(3), 180–189.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Barkley, R. A. (Ed.). (2014). Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: A handbook for diagnosis and treatment. New York: Guilford Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barkley, R. A., Fischer, M., Smallish, L., & Fletcher, K. (2006). Young adult outcome of hyperactive children: adaptive functioning in major life activities. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 45(2), 192–202.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Biederman, J., Monuteaux, M. C., Doyle, A. E., Seidman, L. J., Wilens, T. E., Ferrero, F., & Faraone, S. V. (2004). Impact of executive function deficits and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) on academic outcomes in children. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 72(5), 757.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Blum, K., Chen, A. L. C., Braverman, E. R., Comings, D. E., Chen, T. J., Arcuri, V., … & Oscar-Berman, M. (2008). Attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder and reward deficiency syndrome. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, 4(5), 893.

  • Charach, A., Ickowicz, A., & Schachar, R. (2004). Stimulant treatment over five years: adherence, effectiveness, and adverse effects. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 43(5), 559–567.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Charach, A., Figueroa, M., Chen, S., Ickowicz, A., & Schachar, R. (2006). Stimulant treatment over 5 years: effects on growth. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 45(4), 415–421.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chronis, A. M., Fabiano, G. A., Gnagy, E. M., Onyango, A. N., Pelham, W. E., Lopez-Williams, A., … & Seymour, K. E. (2004). An evaluation of the summer treatment program for children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder using a treatment withdrawal design. Behavior Therapy, 35(3), 561–585.

  • Chronis, A. M., Jones, H. A., & Raggi, V. L. (2006). Evidence-based psychosocial treatments for children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Clinical Psychology Review, 26(4), 486–502.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Derevensky, J., Sklar, A., Gupta, R., & Messerlian, C. (2010). An empirical study examining the impact of advertisements on adolescent attitudes and behaviors. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 8(1), 21–34.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fabiano, G. A., Pelham, W. E., Coles, E. K., Gnagy, E. M., Chronis-Tuscano, A., & O’Connor, B. C. (2009). A meta-analysis of behavioral treatments for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Clinical Psychology Review, 29(2), 129–140.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Faraone, S. V., Biederman, J., Morley, C. P., & Spencer, T. J. (2008). Effect of stimulants on height and weight: a review of the literature. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 47(9), 994–1009.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Farmer, E. M., Compton, S. N., Burns, J. B., & Robertson, E. (2002). Review of the evidence base for treatment of childhood psychopathology: externalizing disorders. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 70(6), 1267.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gevensleben, H., Holl, B., Albrecht, B., Vogel, C., Schlamp, D., Kratz, O., … & Heinrich, H. (2009). Is neurofeedback an efficacious treatment for ADHD? A randomised controlled clinical trial. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 50(7), 780–789.

  • Gevensleben, H., Rothenberger, A., Moll, G. H., & Heinrich, H. (2012). Neurofeedback in children with ADHD: validation and challenges. Psychiatry,, 12(4), 447–460. doi:10.1586/ern.12.22.

  • Heinrich, H., Gevensleben, H., & Strehl, U. (2007). Annotation: neurofeedback–train your brain to train behaviour. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 48(1), 3–16.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Klingberg, T., Fernell, E., Olesen, P. J., Johnson, M., Gustafsson, P., Dahlström, K., … & Westerberg, H. (2005). Computerized training of working memory in children with ADHD-a randomized, controlled trial. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 44(2), 177–186.

  • Lansbergen, M. M., van Dongen-Boomsma, M., Buitelaar, J. K., & Slaats-Willemse, D. (2011). ADHD and EEG-neurofeedback: a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled feasibility study. Journal of Neural Transmission, 118(2), 275–284.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • LeFever, G. B., Villers, M. S., Morrow, A. L., & Vaughn, E. S. (2002). Parental perceptions of adverse educational outcomes among children diagnosed and treated for ADHD: A call for improved school/provider collaboration. Psychology in the Schools, 39(1), 63–71.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mashhadi, M., Teymouri, S., Soltanifar, A., & Hoseinzademaleki, Z. (2011). Visuo-spatial working memory of ADHD children in Benton Visual Retention Test. Cognitive Science in Education, 21(1), 848–857.

  • Maurizio, S., Liechti, M. D., Heinrich, H., Jäncke, L., Steinhausen, H. C., Walitza, S., … & Drechsler, R. (2014). Comparing tomographic EEG neurofeedback and EMG biofeedback in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Biological Psychology, 95, 31–44.

  • Meisel, V., Servera, M., Garcia-Banda, G., Cardo, E., & Moreno, I. (2014). Reprint of “Neurofeedback and standard pharmacological intervention in ADHD: a randomized controlled trial with six-month follow-up”. Biological Psychology, 95, 116–125.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nejati, V., Bahrami, H., Abravan, M., Sh, R., & Motiei, H. (2013a). Executive function and working memory in attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and healthy children. Journal of Gorgan University of Medical Sciences, 15(3), 69–76.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nejati, V., Pouretemad, H. R., & Bahrami, H. (2013b). Attention training in rehabilitation of children with developmental stuttering. Neurorehabilitation, 32(2), 297–303.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rapport, M. D., Alderson, R. M., Kofler, M. J., Sarver, D. E., Bolden, J., & Sims, V. (2008). Working memory deficits in boys with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): the contribution of central executive and subsystem processes. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 36(6), 825–837.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sergeant, J. A. (2005). Modeling attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a critical appraisal of the cognitive-energetic model. Biological Psychiatry, 57(11), 1248–1255.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shalev, L., Tsal, Y., & Mevorach, C. (2007). Computerized progressive attentional training (CPAT) program: effective direct intervention for children with ADHD. Child Neuropsychology, 13(4), 382–388.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sherlin, L. H., Arns, M., Lubar, J., Heinrich, H., Kerson, C., Strehl, U., & Sterman, M. B. (2011). Neurofeedback and basic learning theory: implications for research and practice. Journal of Neurotherapy, 15(4), 292–304.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sonuga-Barke, E. J., & Castellanos, F. X. (2007). Spontaneous attentional fluctuations in impaired states and pathological conditions: a neurobiological hypothesis. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 31(7), 977–986.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Steiner, N. J., Sheldrick, R. C., Gotthelf, D., & Perrin, E. C. (2011). Computer-based attention training in the schools for children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a preliminary trial. Clinical Pediatrics, 50(7), 615–622.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Steiner, N. J., Frenette, E. C., Rene, K. M., Brennan, R. T., & Perrin, E. C. (2014). Neurofeedback and cognitive attention training for children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in schools. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 35(1), 18–27.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Neuromuscular Rehabilitation Research Center, Rehabilitation Faculty, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran

    Aliakbar Pahlevanian

  2. Department of Cognitive Science of Language, Institute for Cognitive Science Studies, Tehran, Iran

    Nader Alirezaloo

  3. Allameh Tabatabaei University, Tehran, Iran

    Sedigheh Naghel

  4. University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Freshteh Alidadi

  5. Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran

    Vahid Nejati

  6. Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Mohammad Kianbakht

Authors
  1. Aliakbar Pahlevanian
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Nader Alirezaloo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Sedigheh Naghel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Freshteh Alidadi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Vahid Nejati
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Mohammad Kianbakht
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nader Alirezaloo.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Pahlevanian, A., Alirezaloo, N., Naghel, S. et al. Neurofeedback Associated with Neurocognitive-Rehabilitation Training on Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Int J Ment Health Addiction 15, 100–109 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-015-9621-7

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-015-9621-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation