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Your Guide to Neurofeedback for ADHD

This alternative therapy uses real-time EEG data to help patients work to train their ADHD brains for intense focus, impulse control, and organized executive function. Studies are encouraging, but not conclusive. Here’s what you need to know.

5 Comments: Your Guide to Neurofeedback for ADHD

  1. This article needs updated. The neurofeedback headsets are expensive (over $100, and hundreds or thousands more). It might also be helpful to provide a more in-depth analysis of available neurofeedback providers rather than just a link (which when clicked, doesn’t work). I would be interested in just knowing if a BCB or BCN *somewhere* offers sessions on a sliding scale, if *ANY* insurance covers it *somewhere*, cost ranges for various regions of the US…. etc.

    Afterthought: If a therapy works well, why should it be expensive and/or not covered by insurance? Not only does this illustrate the problems within the realm of medical insurance and big pharm, but the continued limitations to getting effective, affordable, and accessible mental health support.

  2. Full disclosure, I have been a neurofeedback provider for the last 10 years and have seen very positive outcomes for my clients with ADHD. Yes it is expensive but the results are permanent and most importantly drug free.

    I’m so sorry neurofeedback was not successful for your son, it doesn’t work for everyone, however our success rate is quite high >80%.

    Here is a link to a meta analysis of research into neurofeedback for ADHD which goes back to the 1970’s and includes almost 50 published studies.

    http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/155005940904000311

    The major conclusion drawn from the analysis is this:

    “Therefore, in line with the AAPB and ISNR guidelines for rating clinical efficacy, we conclude that neurofeedback treatment for ADHD can be considered “Efficacious and Specific” (Level 5) with a large ES for inattention and impulsivity and a medium ES for hyperactivity.”

    The American Academy of Pediatrics gives it a Level 2 “Good Support” recommendation as well. Here’s a link to their document.

    http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/pediatrics/125/Supplement_3/S128.full.pdf

    1. It’s interesting that the AAP continues to use the 2010 copyright version of these recommendations on their website, which was created by Practicewise (an advisory panel to AAP), which shows biofeedback as “only level 2”, when there is a more recent version – from 2014 – that shows it as a level 1 intervention. That can be found here…

      https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/efd4cf_0642f976940041f8af83ddbc61829773.pdf

      And in the fine print, you will see, “This report is intended to guide practitioners, educators, youth, and families in developing appropriate plans using psychosocial interventions. This version appeared on the AAP website for the first year, but then I first noticed it replaced with this older version about 2.5 years ago…

  3. We tried neurofeedback for our son (at the time was 11) for about 3-4 months. Saw little to no improvement in his ADHD symptoms. Spent about $5K. Be careful as this is clearly a very expensive treatment without any real studies of effectiveness.

    1. Does neurofeedback work for ADD also? My son is struggling and various medications do not seem to work because he forgets to take his medication each day. He starts school and then drops classes even though he has accomodations, he doesn’t make it to the weekly/monthly Counselor meeting or follow-up session. My son is bright and kind but cannot survive in our world if he cannot focus.

      I would appreciate any suggestions. Thank you.
      Anne

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