title: EEG neurofeedback for ADHD: double-blind sham-controlled randomized pilot feasibility trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Preparing for a definitive randomized clinical trial (RCT) of neurofeedback (NF) for ADHD, this pilot trial explored feasibility of a double-blind, sham-controlled design and adherence/palatability/relative effect of two versus three treatments/week.
  
  
  METHODS
  Unmedicated 6- to 12-year-olds with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.; DSM-IV) ADHD were randomized to active NF versus sham-NF and to 2X versus 3X/week treatment frequency. Frequency switch was allowed after Treatment 24.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In two school years, 39 participants were recruited and 34 (87%) completed all 40 treatments. Child/parent guesses about assigned treatment were no better than chance. At Treatment 24, 38% chose 2X/week and 62% chose 3X/week. Both active NF and sham yielded large pre-post improvement on parent ratings but NF no more than sham.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Blinding appears to work, and sham does not prevent recruitment/retention. Treatment frequency of 3X/week seems preferred over 2X/week and was as effective. A large double-blind RCT is feasible and necessary to test specific NF effectiveness.
authors.affiliation: The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA. l.arnold@osumc.edu
authors.forename: L Eugene
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Arnold
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lofthouse
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hersch
authors.forename: Xueliang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hurt
authors.forename: Bethany
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bates
authors.forename: Kathleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kassouf
authors.forename: Stacey
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Moone
authors.forename: Cara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Grantier
mesh_terms: D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002648:Child; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D058765:Neurofeedback / Q000379:methods / Q000502:physiology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted