title: Neurofeedback and standard pharmacological intervention in ADHD: a randomized controlled trial with six-month follow-up.
abstract: The present study is a randomized controlled trial that aims to evaluate the efficacy of Neurofeedback compared to standard pharmacological intervention in the treatment of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The final sample consisted of 23 children with ADHD (11 boys and 12 girls, 7-14 years old). Participants carried out 40 theta/beta training sessions or received methylphenidate. Behavioral rating scales were completed by fathers, mothers, and teachers at pre-, post-treatment, two-, and six-month naturalistic follow-up. In both groups, similar significant reductions were reported in ADHD functional impairment by parents; and in primary ADHD symptoms by parents and teachers. However, significant academic performance improvements were only detected in the Neurofeedback group. Our findings provide new evidence for the efficacy of Neurofeedback, and contribute to enlarge the range of non-pharmacological ADHD intervention choices. To our knowledge, this is the first randomized controlled trial with a six-month follow-up that compares Neurofeedback and stimulant medication in ADHD.
authors.affiliation: Research Institute on Health Sciences (IUNICS), University of Balearic Islands (UIB), Ctra. de Valldemossa, km 7.5, 07122 Palma de Majorca, Spain. v.meisel@uib.es
authors.forename: Victoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Meisel
authors.forename: Mateu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Servera
authors.forename: Gloria
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Garcia-Banda
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cardo
authors.forename: Inmaculada
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Moreno
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000628:therapy*; D058256:Brain Waves / Q000502:physiology; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D004522:Educational Status; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058765:Neurofeedback / Q000379:methods*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D008774:Methylphenidate
keywords: Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); EEG biofeedback; Methylphenidate; Neurofeedback; Pharmacological intervention