A recent study evaluated 15
publications from metanalytisch estimates and neurofeedback as a therapy is a
promising method. The analysis of the research team from Nijmegen and Tübingen
therapy is based on data from 1194 patients, of which 60% were children and 40%
adults.
The research team evaluated 15
studies from the neurofeedback therapy
for ADHD inserting. The treated patients had ADHD / ADD as a primary diagnosis.
Their therapeutic progress was recorded before and after treatment using the
following instruments: Hyperactivity: Conners assessment with a DSM rating
scale as (CPRS-R) or DSM-IV Rating Scale (Lauth & Schlottke) Inattention:
Compared to untreated control groups
reached a medium to large Neurofeedback efficacy on the core symptoms
inattention (effect size 0.81) and impulsivity (effect size 0.69). For
hyperactivity - another core symptom of ADHD - however, only a mean effect size
(ES = 12:40) were found.
Procedures sufficient quality
criteria
Thus, neurofeedback is recognized as
an effective method because the criteria of Level 5 of the "Guidelines for
Evaluation of Clinical Efficacy of Psychophysiological Interventions
(2002)" are met. This classification requires that the neurofeedback
treatment of a credible sham therapy or credible alternative treatment is
superior in at least two independent studies. The name is like a seal of
approval that the treatment has a specific (source article p.181).
Three studies (Bakshayesh,
Gevensleben et al. And Holtmann et al.) Neurofeedback treatment compared to
alternative measures, with attention given EMG biofeedback or training was
conducted. These studies showed that neurofeedback was also superior to these treatment groups. This also
results in a medium to large effect for the core symptoms of attention and
impulsivity, and a small to medium effect size in reducing hyperactivity. In
particular, the study of Gevensleben et. al. (2009), N = 94, which subjects
attributing randomly the neurofeedback group and the attention training group,
shows a mean effect size (ES = 0.55) (ES = 0.97) for hyperactivity and high
effect size for attention for Neurofeedback.
Psychotherapy must often be measured
by the effect of psychotropic drugs. How does neurofeedback compare? With
respect to the core symptom hyperactivity differ treatment outcomes of drug
therapy with respect to the core symptom of the treatment by means not
impulsiveness neurofeedback. The symptoms inattention and hyperactivity was
present due to insufficient data, however, no meaningful comparison between a
stimulant medication and neurofeedback into
existence, so that the result is left open initially.
Some data, the authors report in
addition, indicate a specific but also special effects of neurofeedback. The
number of training sessions increased the concentration capabilities of the
patients (p = 0.04, r = .55), not hyperactivity and impulsivity improve but
only up to the limit of 25 training sessions, also.
Arns, M., de Ridder, S., Strehl, U.,
Breteler, M. & Coenen, A. Efficacy of Neurofeedback Treatment in ADHD: The
effects on inattention, Impulsivity and Hyperactivity: a Meta-Analysis. EEG and
Clinical Neuroscience, 40 (3), 180-189.
