Abstract
Objective: Additional treatments with persisting benefit are needed for ADHD. Because ADHD often shows excessive theta electroencephalogram (EEG) power, low beta, and excessive theta-beta ratio (TBR), a promising treatment is neurofeedback (NF) downtraining TBR. Although several nonblind randomized clinical trials (RCTs) show a medium-large benefit for NF, a well-blinded, sham-controlled RCT is needed to differentiate specific from nonspecific effects. Method: Experts in NF, ADHD, clinical trials, and statistics collaborated to design a double-blind multisite RCT. Results/Conclusion: At four sites, 180 children aged 7 to 10 years with rigorously diagnosed ADHD and TBR >= 5 will be randomized to active TBR-NF versus sham NF of equal duration, intensity, and appearance. Sham, utilizing prerecorded EEGs with participant artifacts superimposed, will keep participants and staff blind. Treatment fidelity will be trained/monitored by acknowledged NF leaders. Multidomain assessments before, during, and after treatment (follow-up to 2 years) will also include tests of blinding and sham inertness.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 420-436 |
Number of pages | 17 |
Journal | Journal of Attention Disorders |
Volume | 17 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jul 2013 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- ADHD
- neurofeedback
- double-blind
- randomized clinical trial
- ATTENTION-DEFICIT/HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER
- DEFICIT-HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER
- SLOW CORTICAL POTENTIALS
- VOLUNTARY CONTROL
- SENSORIMOTOR RHYTHM
- SELECTIVE ATTENTION
- QUANTITATIVE EEG
- CHILDREN
- STIMULANTS
- IMPULSIVITY