[Neurofeedback for the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in childhood and adolescence].
BACKGROUND
A variety of non-pharmacological treatments for ADHD have failed to prove their effectiveness. The basis of evidence for neurofeedback (or EEG-biofeedback) has improved recently. Neurofeedback is aiming at an improvement of ADHD core-symptoms via the voluntary modification of abnormal neurophysiologic parameters, e.g. EEG-frequency spectrum and event-related potentials.


METHODS
Our review presents an overview of the current research on neurofeedback for the treatment of ADHD.


RESULTS
In three controlled studies short-term effects of feedback matched those of stimulant treatment. Neurofeedback lead to significant improvement of attention, impulsivity and hyperactivity, without adversive side effects. Additionally, there was a persistent amelioration of EEG parameters, while stimulants did not lead to a comparable normalization. Results on the stability of feedback effects are encouraging but are based on small numbers of patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Neurofeedback is a promising approach for the treatment of children with ADHD. However, there is a demand for further controlled studies using standardized diagnostic criteria, sufficient sample sizes and appropriate measures and follow-up.
Holtmann
Martin
M
Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie des Kindes- und Jugendalters, Klinikum der Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt. holtmann@em.uni-frankfurt.de
Stadler
Christina
C
Leins
Ulrike
U
Strehl
Ute
U
Birbaumer
Niels
N
Poustka
Fritz
F
D000293:Adolescent; D001143:Arousal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D001676:Biofeedback, Psychology / Q000379:methods* / Q000502:physiology; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D003265:Contingent Negative Variation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000187:drug effects; D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005583:Fourier Analysis; D006801:Humans; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D008774:Methylphenidate