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Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback (2007) 32:7388 DOI 10.1007/s10484-007-9031-0
ORIGINAL PAPER
Neurofeedback for Children with ADHD: A Comparison of SCP and Theta/Beta Protocols
Ulrike Leins Gabriella Goth Thilo Hinterberger Christoph Klinger Nicola Rumpf Ute Strehl
Published online: 14 March 2007
C
Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2007
Abstract Behavioral and cognitive improvements in children with ADHD have been consistently reported after neurofeedback-treatment. However, neurofeedback has not been commonly accepted as a treatment for ADHD. This study addresses previous methodological shortcomings while comparing a neurofeedback-training of Theta-Beta frequencies and training of slow cortical potentials (SCPs). The study aimed at answering (a) whether patients were able to demonstrate learning of cortical self-regulation, (b) if treatment leads to an improvement in cognition and behavior and (c) if the two experimental groups differ in cognitive and behavioral outcome variables. SCP participants were trained to produce positive and negative SCP-shifts while the Theta/Beta participants were trained to suppress Theta (48 Hz) while increasing Beta (1220 Hz). Participants were blind to group assignment. Assessment included potentially confounding variables. Each group was comprised of 19 children with ADHD (aged 813 years). The treatment procedure consisted of three phases of 10 sessions each. Both groups were able to intentionally regulate cortical activity and improved in attention and IQ. Parents and teachers reported signicant behavioral and cognitive improvements. Clinical effects for both groups remained stable six months after treatment. Groups did not differ in behavioural or cognitive outcome.
U. Leins ([envelopeback])
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Tbingen,Osianderstrasse 24,72076 Tbingen, Germanye-mail: [email protected]
G. Goth T. Hinterberger C. Klinger N. Rumpf U. Strehl Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Tbingen,Tbingen, Germany
Keywords ADHD . Neurofeedback . Slow cortical potentials . Theta-Beta . Self-regulation
Introduction
ADHD is one of the most common childhood disorders with a cumulative incidence of 7.5% by 19 years of age (Barbaresi et al., 2004). The effects of pharmacological and behavioral approaches to treat ADHD have been criticized as being limited, especially regarding long term effects (Beelmann & Schneider, 2003; Dpfner & Lehmkuhl, 2002).
The percentage of children diagnosed with ADHD who are treated with stimulants is about 86.5% for denite ADHD and 40.0% for probable ADHD (Barbaresi et al., 2002). Stimulants work quickly and, in about 70% off all...