Neurofeedback Treatment for Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder in Children Versus Ritalin (Methylphenidate)
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) is a behavioral disorder characterized by inattentiveness, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. Approximately three to five percent of school-age children are affected by AD/HD. When compared with children whom are not affected by AD/HD, investigations of brain activity have consistently reported an abnormal abundance of slow frequenty activity, such as high theta brain waves, especially in the frontal areas of the brain, and a reduction in power in faster bands such as alpha and beta brain wave.
The use of neurofeedback to increase the power of sensorimotor rhythm and low beta activity has been reported to decrease signs and symptoms of AD/HD. Intellectual functioning and attentive behaviors have also shown signs of improvement, as a result of attention enhancement associated with EEG neurofeedback training.
In studies investigating the use of EEG neurofeedback as an alternative treatment for AD/HD, highly significant improvements were reported, as measured by the Test of Variables of Attention (TOVA), the IOWA-Conners Behavior Rating Scale, and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised. Great improvements on the impulsivity scale were seen on the TOVA, as well as improvements of attention span, variability, and response time, when compared to children receiving Ritalin (methylphenidate) for the treatment of AD/HD. Ratings provided by parents and teachers were also highly positive in terms of behavior improvements and academic performance.
A Comparison of EEG Neurofeedback and Psychostimulants in Treating Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorders
Treatment of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) has traditionally involved use of psychostimulants and/or behavioral interventions. Among the psychostimulants, Ritalin (methylphenidate), Adderall (detroamphetimine), and Cylert (pemoline pemoline) are the most commonly prescribed medications, respectively. Approximately seventy to eighty percent of children with AD/HD appear to respond favorably to psychostimulants; primary areas of improvement consisting primarily of attention span, impulse control, and reduced motor activity. Psychostimulants however, as with any medication, have their drawbacks. The most serious shortcoming associated with the use of psychostimulants in the treatment of AD/HD is the impermanence of their effects unless the patient is willing to take the medication indefinitely. Side effects of psychostimulants also include loss of appetite, insomnia, increased anxiety, irritability, stomach irritation, and headaches. A potentially more serious, but infrequent side effect of psychostimulants involves the possible development or increase in tics. Long-term compliance rates are also typically poor among individuals prescribed psychostimulants. For example, many adolescents actively resist taking psychostimulants whether or not the medication has been helpful, therefore continuing to experience significant AD/HD symptoms impairing their social, emotional, academic and/or vocational functioning.
When compared to the use of psychostimulants to treat AD/HD, EEG neurofeedback was found to produce a significant reduction in both congnitive and behavioral symptoms of AD/HD, after only twenty treatment sessions completed over a period of four to seven weeks. Individuals treated with EEG neurofeedback manifested singnifact improvements in attention, speed of information processing, impulse control, and consistency of attention as measured by the Test of Variables of Attention (TOVA). Mothers of individuals treated with EEG neurofeedback confirmed the reduction in AD/HD symptoms. Parents ands teachers of these individuals also reported significant improvements in social behavior and school performance. Moreover, the improvements were evident in far fewer than forty to eighty sessions, typically cited as the expected course of treatment with neurofeedback for AD/HD, thus allowing for conservation of health care resources. EEG neurofeedback is a cost-effective alternative to long-term use of medication, since it results in lasting symptom-reduction versus the life-long maintenance of symptoms with medications.
EEG neurofeedback has been found to result in significant increases in IQ and reductions in parental reports of inattetiveness in children diagnosed with AD/HD, after as little as twenty half-hour sessions. In as few as thirty neurofeedback sessions, a significant reduction in theta wave amplitude was found, along with an increase in attention span as measured by the TOVA and improved scores on the Freedom from Distractibility (FD) factor from the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R).