title: Is neurofeedback an efficacious treatment for ADHD? A randomised controlled clinical trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  For children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a reduction of inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity by neurofeedback (NF) has been reported in several studies. But so far, unspecific training effects have not been adequately controlled for and/or studies do not provide sufficient statistical power. To overcome these methodological shortcomings we evaluated the clinical efficacy of neurofeedback in children with ADHD in a multisite randomised controlled study using a computerised attention skills training as a control condition.
  
  
  METHODS
  102 children with ADHD, aged 8 to 12 years, participated in the study. Children performed either 36 sessions of NF training or a computerised attention skills training within two blocks of about four weeks each (randomised group assignment). The combined NF treatment consisted of one block of theta/beta training and one block of slow cortical potential (SCP) training. Pre-training, intermediate and post-training assessment encompassed several behaviour rating scales (e.g., the German ADHD rating scale, FBB-HKS) completed by parents and teachers. Evaluation ('placebo') scales were applied to control for parental expectations and satisfaction with the treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For parent and teacher ratings, improvements in the NF group were superior to those of the control group. For the parent-rated FBB-HKS total score (primary outcome measure), the effect size was .60. Comparable effects were obtained for the two NF protocols (theta/beta training, SCP training). Parental attitude towards the treatment did not differ between NF and control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Superiority of the combined NF training indicates clinical efficacy of NF in children with ADHD. Future studies should further address the specificity of effects and how to optimise the benefit of NF as treatment module for ADHD.
authors.affiliation: Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Göttingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Holger
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gevensleben
authors.forename: Birgit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Holl
authors.forename: Björn
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Albrecht
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vogel
authors.forename: Dieter
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schlamp
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Kratz
authors.forename: Petra
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Studer
authors.forename: Aribert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rothenberger
authors.forename: Gunther H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Moll
authors.forename: Hartmut
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Heinrich
mesh_terms: D001288:Attention; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000628:therapy*; D001676:Biofeedback, Psychology / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D016896:Treatment Outcome