Effects of Neurofeedback Training on Inhibitory Capacities in ADHD Children: A Single-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study

Abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction. Studies performed during the last decades suggest that neurofeedback (NF) training can effectively reduce symptomatology in children with Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Yet questions remain concerning specific effects of NF training in ADHD children, because these studies did not use a randomized, placebo-controlled approach. To address this issue, such an approach was used in the present study to measure the impact of NF training on inhibitory capacities. Method. Nine ADHD children (with no comorbidity), aged 8 to 13 years, were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n = 5) or a placebo group (n = 4). For both groups, training protocols comprised 40 one-hr sessions (20 meetings of 2 sessions each). Sensorimotor rhythm/Theta training was used in the experimental group. Prerecorded sessions of the first author's EEG activity were used in the placebo group. Pre- and posttraining assessments consisted of the Conner's Parent Rating Scales (CPRS–R) and neuro...