Neurofeedback training in children with ADHD: 6-month follow-up of a randomised controlled trial

• Published in: European child & adolescent psychiatry 2010-09, Vol.19 (9), p.715-724
• Main Authors: Gevensleben, Holger, Holl, Birgit, Albrecht, Björn, Schlamp, Dieter, Kratz, Oliver, Studer, Petra, Rothenberger, Aribert, Moll, Gunther H., Heinrich, Hartmut
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analysis of Variance; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - therapy; Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; Biological and medical sciences; Child; Child & adolescent psychiatry; Child and Adolescent Psychiatry; Children; Children & youth; Dropping out; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Hyperactivity; Induced; Male; Medical sciences; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Neurofeedback; Original Contribution; Parents; Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Relaxation. Biofeedback. Hypnosis. Selfregulation. Meditation; Self Care; Skill development; Surveys and Questionnaires; Treatment Outcome; Treatments
• ISSN: 1018-8827; 1435-165X
• DOI: 10.1007/s00787-010-0109-5

Neurofeedback (NF) could help to improve attentional and self-management capabilities in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In a randomised controlled trial, NF training was found to be superior to a computerised attention skills training (AST) (Gevensleben et al. in J Child Psychol Psychiatry 50(7):780–789, 2009 ). In the present paper, treatment effects at 6-month follow-up were studied. 94 children with ADHD, aged 8–12 years, completed either 36 sessions of NF training ( n  = 59) or a computerised AST ( n  = 35). Pre-training, post-training and follow-up assessment encompassed several behaviour rating scales (e.g., the German ADHD rating scale, FBB-HKS) completed by parents. Follow-up information was analysed in 61 children (ca. 65%) on a per-protocol basis. 17 children (of 33 dropouts) had started a medication after the end of the training or early in the follow-up period. Improvements in the NF group ( n  = 38) at follow-up were superior to those of the control group ( n  = 23) and comparable to the effects at the end of the training. For the FBB-HKS total score (primary outcome measure), a medium effect size of 0.71 was obtained at follow-up. A reduction of at least 25% in the primary outcome measure (responder criterion) was observed in 50% of the children in the NF group. In conclusion, behavioural improvements induced by NF training in children with ADHD were maintained at a 6-month follow-up. Though treatment effects appear to be limited, the results confirm the notion that NF is a clinically efficacious module in the treatment of children with ADHD.