Neurofeedback in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) - a controlled multicenter study of a non-pharmacological treatment approach

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Martin Holtmann
• Subject Area: Clinical Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
• Term: from 2008 to 2015
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 43536504

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common neurobehavioral disorder of childhood. At present, pharmacotherapy like methylphenidate (e.g., Ritalin) is the treatment of choice for ADHD children. Among alternative treatment approaches, Neurofeedback (EEG-Biofeedback) has emerged as a non-invasive treatment for children with ADHD. Neurofeedback refers to a procedure that encourages the individual to exercise a certain amount of self-control over his/her “brainwaves” as recorded by EEG. The rationale for using Neurofeedback as an intervention in ADHD is the consistently reported neurophysiological deficit of cortical arousal in ADHD children. The aim of such training is that the children learn how to bring their neurophysiological profile closer to that of non-ADHD children, resulting in concomitant improvements in behaviour and cognition. The aim of this investigation is to examine the efficacy of Neurofeedback in childhood ADHD in a prospective, randomized, controlled study, assessing its effectiveness in comparison to an unspecific peripheral biofeedback treatment (electromyographic biofeedback) with an identical setting. After a six-month delay, a follow-up examination will be conducted focusing on the long-term effects.

• DFG Programme: Clinical Trials
• Participating Person: Privatdozentin Dr. Ute Strehl