WebMD - April 26, 2006
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 article, "Elelectroencephalographic
Biofeedback (Neurotherapy) as a Treatment for Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder: Rationale and Empirical Foundation,"
by Vincent Monastra.
Although there have been many single case studies,
there have now been four controlled group studies. Response was
comparable to response to medications, with about 75% responding
positively. Approximately 50 - 80 % of responders to neurofeedback
were able to reduce (not stop) their medications.
While neurofeedback is more enduring, with decreased
symptoms persisting much longer after discontinuation of treatment
than after discontinuation of medications, it is not "permanent,"
and many people 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 home,
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
if someone is cooperative with it (all children aren't) and complete
the required number of sessions, that about 70% have some response.
However, as with medications, a certain percentage don't respond,
and of those that do it might be a small, medium, or significant
response. Those with a minimal or moderate response often respond
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 more 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.
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