Neurofeedback Treatments Rated Effective in ADHD

Neurofeedback treatments for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) demonstrate medium to large effect sizes and remission rates between 32% and 47%, according to a study published online in the journal Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback.

“[S]tandard neurofeedback protocols in the treatment of ADHD can be concluded to be a well-established treatment, or ‘efficacious and specific’ in line with the American Psychological Association guidelines,” researchers wrote. 

The quantitative review employed a stricter version of American Psychological Association guidelines for rating “well-established” treatments. In addition to addressing treatment efficacy and effectiveness/clinical utility, the study included only recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses with more than 2 independent randomized controlled trials and factored in effect sizes and remission rates.

Standard neurofeedback protocols offered significant efficacy for parent- and teacher-rated symptoms in a pair of meta-analyses, according to the study. The effect size was medium, and effects were sustained after 6 to 12 months.

Health Risks Going Unmonitored in Teens With History of ADHD

Meanwhile, 4 multicenter randomized controlled trials found significant superiority for standard neurofeedback protocols, relative to semi-active control groups, at post-treatment or at follow-up. Effect sizes were medium to large, and remission rates ranged from 32% to 47%.

Three open-label studies confirmed effectiveness, researchers reported, and no signs of publication bias were found. Furthermore, no studies reported any significant side effects of standard neurofeedback treatment. 

Researchers emphasized their findings are generalizable to standard neurofeedback protocols only. 

“Some clinical practices use ‘unconventional neurofeedback protocols’… However, a recent systematic review in this journal failed to find sufficient evidence for these non-standard approaches,” they wrote. 

“Therefore, it is important that the clinical application of neurofeedback in clinics also more closely follows these recommendations, and that neurofeedback organizations more formally recommend and educate this more strictly.”

—Jolynn Tumolo

Reference 

Arns M, Clark CR, Trullinger M, deBeus R, Mack M, Aniftos M. Neurofeedback and attention-deficit/hyperactivity-disorder (ADHD) in children: rating the evidence and proposed guidelines. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback. 2020 March 23;[Epub ahead of print].