Neurofeedback Treatment: Can It Help Treat ADHD?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is ADHD?ADHD TreatmentWhat Is Neurofeedback Therapy?How Does It Work?Efficacy

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

What Is ADHD?

ADHD Treatment

What Is Neurofeedback Therapy?

How Does It Work?

Efficacy

Close

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)is aneurodevelopmental disorder. It typically presents during childhood and continues throughout one’s lifespan, though some folks grow out of it, and others receive their diagnosis as adults.

This article will discuss the symptoms of ADHD and explore neurofeedback therapy as a treatment option for ADHD. Read on to learn more.

ADD vs. ADHD: How Are They Different?

ADHDcan be very challenging to live with since it can impact interpersonal relationships, academic and work performance, and daily functioning.

For those who experienceinattentive symptoms, they may experience the following signs, amongst others:

ADHD and Motivation Issues

Some may experiencehyperactivity-impulsivity, which can include the following:

20 Signs and Symptoms of ADHD in Girls

Childrencan begin expressing excessive motor activity as a toddler, but it is difficult to distinguish from normal variation in behavior before they reach the age of four. if symptoms are evident after that, they should be demonstrated in more than one setting (home and school).

Adultsmay have lived with symptoms of ADHD their whole lives but may not receive a diagnosis until they are an adult. Therefore, it is important to visit a mental health professional to receive a full screening for ADHD.

What to Know About Adult ADHD Testing

Once a diagnosis has been received, treatment options can be explored. ADHD often requires a holistic approach, meaning a mix of psychotherapy, medication, psychoeducation, andlifestyle changescan reap the best benefits.

The recommended psychotherapy iscognitive-behavioral therapy. This therapy helps individuals bridge the connection between their feelings, thoughts, and actions. In turn, this can help folks begin to control some of their symptoms of ADHD.

In addition, children may be referred tobehavioral therapy. This type of therapy focuses on learning how to regulate behavior and emotions. It isn’t uncommon for behavioral therapy to be a collaborative effort that involves teachers, parents, and family members. By involving teachers and family members, routines and skills learned in behavioral therapy can be reinforced in the classroom and at home.

Medication is often recommended in the treatment of ADHD. Stimulants are often the first recommended medication. Through different mechanisms both inside the neuron and in the synapse,stimulantsincrease the availability ofdopamineand norepinephrine, which is very important for motivation and overall cognitive function.

However, stimulants can have harmful side effects and aren’t a fit for everyone. In the event that stimulants aren’t working out, non-stimulants may be prescribed. They can be just as effective as stimulants, but they can take longer to kick in and begin working.

Learning more about ADHD,joining a support group, and having workplace orclassroom accommodationsare also part of a well-rounded treatment plan.

ADHD Diet for Kids

This is achieved through audio or visual feedback that demonstrates positive feedback for properly functioning brain activity, while negative feedback is given for maladaptive brain activity.

The ADHD vs. Non-ADHD Brain

How Does Neurofeedback Therapy Work?

Neurofeedback therapy is a unique process in which a trained professional measures brainwave activity with an electroencephalograph (EEG). Electrodes will be attached to one’s scalp, or sometimes a special neurofeedback cap can be worn. Note that the electrodes read electrical brain activity, and do not deliver an electrical current; therefore, they don’t produce any negative sensations.

The electrical feedback is transmitted to a screen in a meaningful way for the individual to interact with. It is sometimes in the form of a video game, a movie, or music. For example, there may be a digital thermometer that appears on the screen, and the person is asked to cause the temperature to rise or fall. Or, they may be asked to focus on a character on the screen until they can make it sit down and relax,through their mind. Some programs offer a scene from a movie, that dims when you aren’t focused enough, and brightens when you direct your attention in a specific way.

This positive and negative feedback helps the individual learn to control their own brain activity through a process known asoperant conditioning. With practice, the ability to focus their attention will become more natural.

Neurologists explain how the ratio of theta and beta waves (T/B ratio or TBR) is different in the brain of someone with ADHD. Specifically, the frontal lobe shows less fast wave activity (beta) and more slow waves (theta) while they are awake.Other research shows differences in slow cortical potentials in people with ADHD.Neurofeedback helps rebalance these maladaptive patterns, and in turn, this can decrease symptoms of ADHD.

Will Neurofeedback Therapy Effectively Treat ADHD?

Neurofeedback is a promising treatment for ADHD. Research recently proved that as little as 30 sessions of neurofeedback treatment could be as effective as popular stimulants in reducing ADHD symptoms. Some people no longer need ADHD medication after neurofeedback treatment.

If you’re interested in exploring neurofeedback as a treatment for ADHD, reaching out to your medical provider is the first step in seeing if it is the right fit for you. TheInternational Society for Neuroregulation & Researchalso offers an online directory that you can search based on your geographical location or the provider’s area of specialty.

How to Find an ADHD Specialist

5 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Mental Health.Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.Marzbani H, Marateb HR, Mansourian M.Neurofeedback: A comprehensive review on system design, methodology and clinical applications.Basic Clin Neurosci. 2016;7(2):143-158. doi:10.15412/J.BCN.03070208Kerson C, deBeus R, Lightstone H, et al.EEG theta/beta ratio calculations differ between various EEG neurofeedback and assessment software packages: Clinical interpretation.Clin EEG Neurosci. 2020;51(2):114-120. doi:10.1177/1550059419888320Chartier DR, Dellinger MB, Evans JR, Budzynski HK.Introduction to Quantitative EEG and Neurofeedback. 3rd ed. Elsevier; 2023.Enriquez-Geppert S, Smit D, Pimenta MG, Arns M.Neurofeedback as a treatment intervention in ADHD: Current evidence and practice.Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2019;21(6):46. doi:10.1007/s11920-019-1021-4

5 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Mental Health.Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.Marzbani H, Marateb HR, Mansourian M.Neurofeedback: A comprehensive review on system design, methodology and clinical applications.Basic Clin Neurosci. 2016;7(2):143-158. doi:10.15412/J.BCN.03070208Kerson C, deBeus R, Lightstone H, et al.EEG theta/beta ratio calculations differ between various EEG neurofeedback and assessment software packages: Clinical interpretation.Clin EEG Neurosci. 2020;51(2):114-120. doi:10.1177/1550059419888320Chartier DR, Dellinger MB, Evans JR, Budzynski HK.Introduction to Quantitative EEG and Neurofeedback. 3rd ed. Elsevier; 2023.Enriquez-Geppert S, Smit D, Pimenta MG, Arns M.Neurofeedback as a treatment intervention in ADHD: Current evidence and practice.Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2019;21(6):46. doi:10.1007/s11920-019-1021-4

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

National Institute of Mental Health.Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.Marzbani H, Marateb HR, Mansourian M.Neurofeedback: A comprehensive review on system design, methodology and clinical applications.Basic Clin Neurosci. 2016;7(2):143-158. doi:10.15412/J.BCN.03070208Kerson C, deBeus R, Lightstone H, et al.EEG theta/beta ratio calculations differ between various EEG neurofeedback and assessment software packages: Clinical interpretation.Clin EEG Neurosci. 2020;51(2):114-120. doi:10.1177/1550059419888320Chartier DR, Dellinger MB, Evans JR, Budzynski HK.Introduction to Quantitative EEG and Neurofeedback. 3rd ed. Elsevier; 2023.Enriquez-Geppert S, Smit D, Pimenta MG, Arns M.Neurofeedback as a treatment intervention in ADHD: Current evidence and practice.Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2019;21(6):46. doi:10.1007/s11920-019-1021-4

National Institute of Mental Health.Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Marzbani H, Marateb HR, Mansourian M.Neurofeedback: A comprehensive review on system design, methodology and clinical applications.Basic Clin Neurosci. 2016;7(2):143-158. doi:10.15412/J.BCN.03070208

Kerson C, deBeus R, Lightstone H, et al.EEG theta/beta ratio calculations differ between various EEG neurofeedback and assessment software packages: Clinical interpretation.Clin EEG Neurosci. 2020;51(2):114-120. doi:10.1177/1550059419888320

Chartier DR, Dellinger MB, Evans JR, Budzynski HK.Introduction to Quantitative EEG and Neurofeedback. 3rd ed. Elsevier; 2023.

Enriquez-Geppert S, Smit D, Pimenta MG, Arns M.Neurofeedback as a treatment intervention in ADHD: Current evidence and practice.Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2019;21(6):46. doi:10.1007/s11920-019-1021-4

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