Neurofeedback as a nonpharmacological treatment for adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Neurofeedback has been applied effectively in various areas, especially in the treatment of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This study protocol is designed to investigate the effect of slow cortical potential (SCP) feedback and a new form of neurofeedback using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) on symptomatology and neurophysiological parameters in an adult ADHD population. A comparison of SCP and NIRS feedback therapy methods has not been previously conducted and may yield valuable findings about alternative treatments for adult ADHD.

METHODS/DESIGN:

The outcome of both neurofeedback techniques will be assessed over 30 treatment sessions and after a 6-month follow-up period, and then will be compared to a nonspecific biofeedback treatment. Furthermore, to investigate if treatment effects in this proof-of-principle study can be predicted by specific neurophysiological baseline parameters, regression models will be applied. Finally, a comparison with healthy controls will be conducted to evaluate deviant pretraining neurophysiological parameters, stability of assessment measures, and treatment outcome.

DISCUSSION:

To date, an investigation and comparison of SCP and NIRS feedback training to an active control has not been conducted; therefore, we hope to gain valuable insights in effects and differences of these types of treatment for ADHD in adults.

TRIAL REGISTRATION:

This study is registered with the German Registry of Clinical Trials: DRKS00006767 , date of registration: 8 October 2014.

• Authors: Kerstin Mayer, Sarah Nicole Wyckoff, Andreas J Fallgatter, Ann-Christine Ehlis, Ute Strehl
• Journal: Trials (Trials) Vol. 16 Pg. 174 (Apr 18 2015) ISSN: 1745-6215 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 25928870 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Topics

• Action Potentials
• Adult
• Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity (diagnosis, physiopathology, psychology, therapy)
• Cerebral Cortex (physiopathology)
• Clinical Protocols
• Electromyography
• Germany
• Humans
• Neurofeedback (methods)
• Research Design
• Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared
• Time Factors
• Treatment Outcome