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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2013 Jul;17(5):410-9.
doi: 10.1177/1087054712446173. Epub 2012 May 22.

EEG neurofeedback for ADHD: double-blind sham-controlled randomized pilot feasibility trial

L Eugene Arnold  1 , Nicholas Lofthouse, Sarah Hersch, Xueliang Pan, Elizabeth Hurt, Bethany Bates, Kathleen Kassouf, Stacey Moone, Cara Grantier
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

EEG neurofeedback for ADHD: double-blind sham-controlled randomized pilot feasibility trial

L Eugene Arnold et al. J Atten Disord. 2013 Jul.

Abstract

Objective: Preparing for a definitive randomized clinical trial (RCT) of neurofeedback (NF) for ADHD, this pilot trial explored feasibility of a double-blind, sham-controlled design and adherence/palatability/relative effect of two versus three treatments/week.

Method: Unmedicated 6- to 12-year-olds with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.; DSM-IV) ADHD were randomized to active NF versus sham-NF and to 2X versus 3X/week treatment frequency. Frequency switch was allowed after Treatment 24.

Results: In two school years, 39 participants were recruited and 34 (87%) completed all 40 treatments. Child/parent guesses about assigned treatment were no better than chance. At Treatment 24, 38% chose 2X/week and 62% chose 3X/week. Both active NF and sham yielded large pre-post improvement on parent ratings but NF no more than sham.

Conclusion: Blinding appears to work, and sham does not prevent recruitment/retention. Treatment frequency of 3X/week seems preferred over 2X/week and was as effective. A large double-blind RCT is feasible and necessary to test specific NF effectiveness.

Keywords: ADHD; adolescent; neurofeedback.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
CONSORT Diagram
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Relative efficacy of 2 vs. 3X/week active NF treatments by teacher ratings (upper panel) and parent ratings (lower panel) on the 18 DSM-IV ADHD symptoms on the SNAP (0-3 metric, lower score better). N=13 for each assigned frequency of active NF.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Asymptote of Active NF Treatment Effect by Treatment 24 on the 18 DSM-IV ADHD Symptoms Rated by Parents on SNAP (0-3 scale, lower score is better, ratings every 3 treatments)
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Outcome Trajectories through 40 Treatments & 2-month follow-up for Parent-rated Inattention (top left panel), Hyperactivity-Impulsivity (top right panel), & all 18 ADHD symptoms (lower left panel) and Teacher-Rated all 18 ADHD Symptoms (lower right panel) on SNAP (0-3 scale, lower score is better). Treatment #50 = follow-up 2 months after end of treatment
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