Neurofeedback Training with Concurrent Psychophysiological Monitoring in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder with Comorbid Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

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Neurofeedback training is a treatment modality of potential use for improving self-regulation skills in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Multiple studies using neurofeedback to target symptoms of ASD have been reported. These studies differ among themselves in the type of training (e.g., theta-to-beta ratio, coherence, etc.), topography (Cz or Pz), guidance by quantitative EEG (qEEG), and number of sessions (e.g., 20 vs. 30, etc.). In our study, we proposed that prefrontal neurofeedback training would be accompanied by changes in relative power of EEG bands (e.g., 40 Hz-centered gamma band) and ratios of individual bands (e.g., theta-to-beta ratio) and changes in autonomic activity. Outcome measures included EEG, autonomic measures (heart rate, heart rate variability [HRV] indexes, respiration rate, and skin conductance level [SCL]), and behavioral ratings by parents/caregivers. In this pilot feasibility study on 14 children with ASD with comorbid ADHD (~10.28 years SD = 1.93, 3 females), we administered a 24 session-long course of neurofeedback from the AFz site. The protocol used training for wide-band EEG amplitude suppression (“InhibitAll”) with simultaneous upregulation of the index of 40 Hz-centered gamma activity. Quantitative EEG (QEEG) analysis at the prefrontal training site was completed for each session of neurofeedback in order to determine the amplitude of the individual bands (delta, theta, alpha, beta, and gamma), the ratio of the EEG bands of interest (e.g., theta-to-beta ratio [TBR]), and relative power of 40 Hz-centered gamma across neurofeedback sessions. In this study, we analyzed Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC), Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS-2), and Achenbach’s ASEBA ratings by caregivers (pre- and posttreatment). We found a significant reduction in Irritability and Hyperactivity subscales of the ABC, decrease of T-score on SRS-2, and decrease in Attention Deficit scores of the ASEBA posttreatment. Successful neurofeedback sessions were featured by the changes in SCL, decreased HR, increased HRV (reflected in decreased LF/HF ratio of HRV and increased RMSSD of HRV), and decreased respiration rate. Profiles of psychophysiological changes during individual sessions and across the whole course of neurofeedback training showed active engagement of participants during training process, resulting in gradual decrease of anxiety markers across the whole course of experimental intervention using prefrontal neurofeedback training. Future research is needed to assess QEEG changes in other topographies using brain mapping, more prolonged courses, and other outcome measures including clinical behavioral evaluations to judge the clinical utility of prefrontal neurofeedback in children with ASD with co-occurring ADHD. The current series support a need to address various factors affecting outcome of neurofeedback-based intervention, specifically the question of length of treatment.