Effect of biofeedback intervention on neurological characteristics of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the effects of biofeedback intervention on the neurological characteristics of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Methods 150 children aged 6–12 years with ADHD were divided into two groups according to the treatment method. The atomoxetine group received atomoxetine drug treatment, and the combined treatment group received EEG biofeedback therapy. Continuous performance test (CPT), SNAP-IV and WFIRS-P were used to assess attention and behavior, and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to observe changes in brain activity. Results The response time, error times, error response rate and attention fluctuation index of CPT in the combined treatment group were significantly lower than those in the atomoxetine group (p < 0.05), and the correct response rate was higher than that in the atomoxetine group (p < 0.05). After intervention, SNAP-IV and WFIRS-P scores in the combined treatment group were significantly lower than those in the atomoxetine group (p < 0.001). fMRI results showed that the activity of the prefrontal, parietal, amygdala and hippocampus in the combined treatment group was significantly higher than that in the atomoxetine group (p < 0.001). Conclusion Biofeedback intervention can significantly improve the attention and behavior of ADHD children and positively regulate the neural activity in related brain areas on the basis of drug treatment, suggesting that biofeedback therapy can be considered as a potential effective nondrug treatment option for ADHD children.