Efficacy of Neurofeedback Versus Pharmacological Support in Subjects with ADHD

• Published in: Applied psychophysiology and biofeedback Vol. 41; no. 1; pp. 17 - 25
• Main Authors: González-Castro, Paloma, Cueli, Marisol, Rodríguez, Celestino, García, Trinidad, Álvarez, Luis
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.03.2016; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Analysis; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - drug therapy; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - physiopathology; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - therapy; Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder; Behavioral Science and Psychology; Biofeedback; Biofeedback training; Cerebral Cortex - drug effects; Cerebral Cortex - physiology; Child; Combined Modality Therapy; Electroencephalography; Executive Function - drug effects; Executive Function - physiology; Feedback; Female; Health Psychology; Humans; Hyperactivity; Impulsivity; Male; Neurofeedback - methods; Psychology; Psychotherapy and Counseling; Public Health; Support groups; Treatment Outcome; Intervention; ADHD; Cortical activation; Neurofeedback; Pharmacological support
• ISSN: 1090-0586; 1573-3270; 1573-3270
• DOI: 10.1007/s10484-015-9299-4

Behavioral training in neurofeedback has proven to be an essential complement to generalize the effects of pharmacological support in subjects who have attention deficit with hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Therefore, this investigation attempts to analyze the efficacy of neurofeedback compared with pharmacological support and the combination of both. Participants were 131 students, classified into four groups: control (did not receive neurofeedback or pharmacological support), neurofeedback group, pharmacological support group, and combined group (neurofeedback + pharmacological support). Participants’ executive control and cortical activation were assessed before and after treatment. Results indicate that the combined group obtained more benefits and that the neurofeedback group improved to a greater extent in executive control than the pharmacological support group. It is concluded that this kind of training may be an alternative to stimulate activation in subjects with ADHD.