Neurofeedback Versus Pharmacological Intervention in the Treatment of Childhood Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): First Spanish Clinical Neuropsychological Study

Denise Medici

doi:10.11648/j.ajap.20180705.11

Abstract

In this study, twenty children diagnosed with ADHD according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition criteria (DSM-IV) were randomly assigned to receive NFB training or MPH treatment. The participants were evaluated at the beginning of the study and four months later on measures of behavioral (CPRS/CPRT), executive functions (BRIEF, CPT), attention (TOVA), and electrical activity (qEEG, ERPs). Post-intervention results showed improvements in attention, hyperactivity, executive functioning and in continuous performance measurement (CPT).Improvements noted in the NFB group were greater than that of the MPH group. Results of this study suggest NFB training resulted in greater improvements in executive functioning, behavior, attention, and qEEG compared to MPH treatment. Results indicate that neurofeedback may treatcognitive and behavior functions before these functions worsen or decrease. This study suggests future research to compare the efficacy of each of these treatments in larger populations with a greater heterogeneity in gender is warranted.

Highlights

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the most common behavioral problem encountered by pediatricians in primary care settings and has a worldwidepooled prevalence was 5.29% [1] (Polanczyk, de Lima, Horta, Biederman, & Rohde, 2007)
The participants were required to meet the following inclusion criteria: age 8 to 14 years old; a primary formal diagnosis of ADHD based on a semistructured interviews with their parents using DSM-IV in the Pediatric Department; no diagnosis of comorbid neurological disorders; no serious medical conditions; no use of psychostimulants or atomoxetine medication treatment before the study; an intellectual quotient ≥80; normal EEG results; and a well-structured family, referring to families with the following characteristics: parents who do not obstruct child motivation, perfect attendance at the NFB sessions, and families with a sense of responsibility, because this condition could have an strong impact
Effects of NFB Training Compared to the MPH Treatment Group

Summary

Introduction

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the most common behavioral problem encountered by pediatricians in primary care settings and has a worldwidepooled prevalence was 5.29% [1] (Polanczyk, de Lima, Horta, Biederman, & Rohde, 2007). Several studies have found that ADHD subjects had more lifetime psychopathology. Male gender increases risk for disruptive behavior disorders. Female gender and oppositional defiant disorder contributed to risk for depression and anxiety. They had more parent-reported problems in terms of emotionalbehavioral role function, behavior, mental health, and selfesteem [2] (McGough, Smalley, & McCracken, 2005). The problems of children with ADHD show a significant impact on the parents' emotional health and parents' time to meet

Methods

Results

Conclusion