Study confirms Neurofeedback has long-term benefit for Children with ADHD
February 26, 2018 - neurocare group
Researchers compare methods of treating ADHD in children and find that Neurofeedback, a medication-free technique, has long lasting effects up to 12 months
A study just published in the medical journal European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry shows Neurofeedback to have long-term positive effects in children with ADHD.
Neurofeedback is a non-invasive therapy which is used to train brain activity, visualizing EEG waves on a computer screen via electrodes. This has been shown to help reduce symptoms of ADHD in children, particularly inattention and hyperactivity. However, scientists have debated whether the reported effects are long-lasting and a viable alternative to prescribing children with medications.
In this latest study, researchers compiled data of more than 500 children with ADHD comparing the results of Neurofeedback, with medications and “non-active” (no treatment) conditions. To critically interpret the data, researchers with different views on Neurofeedback were selected to contribute to the study.
They found that Neurofeedback had sustainable effects in the longer term, with positive and large effects observed after 6 months of treatment. Moreover, the findings show that the effects of Neurofeedback show a tendency to improve over time, with no ongoing therapy sessions needed after the initial program compared to the group which was still taking medication at 6 month follow-up.
Dr. Martijn Arns, one of the researchers of the study from Research Institute Brainclinics in The Netherlands, is confident Neurofeedback is a viable therapy option for children with ADHD
“This meta-analysis shows that after an average of 6 month follow-up neurofeedback has a similar efficacy compared to active treatments including medication, opening the option to use medication more for short-term symptom relief, and using neurofeedback to achieve more longer-term benefit in ADHD, with the added benefit of there being almost no side-effects”
These results relate to evidence-based Neurofeedback methodologies, (i.e. Slow Cortical Potentials Training, Sensorimotor Rhythm Training and Theta/Beta Training) and cannot be generalised to all forms of Neurofeedback.
Is Neurofeedback the new Ritalin?
While psychostimulant medications such as ‘Ritalin’ have been commonly prescribed to children or adolescents diagnosed with ADHD, prior research has shown the effects of medications tend to decrease after 2 years of use and may induce various side effects such as anxiety, nausea and negative effects on sleep.
Neurofeedback is a non-pharmacological approach which in the last 10 years has gained more and more interest for its potential as an effective and short-term intervention which is not found to have any severe side-effects.
Dr. Ryan, Consultant Psychiatrist at neurocare Clinics in Sydney, sees first-hand the benefit of Neurofeedback for children and adults with ADHD, but notes its potential as a therapy isn’t widely understood,
“Historically, Neurofeedback hasn’t been widely known or understood in the medical community as there has been mixed scientific research and reviews. It’s great to see such solid evidence for Neurofeedback in ADHD and it mirrors the outcomes we see for our patients who choose Neurofeedback as an alternative to medication. It’s about making sure you have the right technologies, training and assessment tools to do it properly but also educating Healthcare professionals and the wider community that the evidence is there.
Neurofeedback is offered in neurocare Clinics worldwide.
Source
Van Doren, J., Arns, M., Heinrich, H., Vollebregt, M. A., Strehl, U., & Loo, S. K. (2018). Sustained effects of neurofeedback in ADHD: A systematic review and meta-analysis. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-018-1121-4
