In this form of treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder the subject learns to pay attention to his own brain wave activity, and then apparently learns to change and control his brain wave activity. The subject is given immediate feedback on just what his brain's activity is like at any given moment through the use of high-speed computers which provide both auditory and visual feedback.
This is a very good technology when combined with a good clinician and a motivated subject. We provided EEG Biofeedback training in our practice for over ten years. The variety of people that we saw in our office was amazing, from head injured people, to ADHD kids, to professional athletes and business executives (for peak performance training or stress management).
Lots of studies are being published even as we speak. The intervention has been around for about 25 years, but mostly in the "ivory towers" of the universities and labs until just the past ten years. There are about 1000 providers in USA at present time. The intervention works for about 70%-75% of kids who come for treatment for ADHD, depending on factors such as what exactly the cause of the problem is, the severity of their problem, their IQ, motivation levels, and the number of sessions provided.
Double-blind studies vs. Clinical studies
Here are my thoughts about research studies for this intervention, and about the criticism of these studies from the pharmaceutical industry. There has been a lot of bad mouthing about the supposed "lack of research" from the medical community and from psychologists who receive their funding from pharmaceutical companies regarding EEG Biofeedback. Yet, there really is quite a bit of published research out there. The critics just don't like what's out there because they are "clinical studies" rather than "double blind" studies.
Double blind studies are great for pills, where you can fool the subjects into thinking that they are taking some medication when they are really only taking a sugar pill placebo. But there are a lot of things worth studying in life that you simply can't do double blind studies with.
For example, weight lifting.
Could you do a study with a placebo in weight lifting? No you could not.
What would you do if you wanted to know if weight lifting made people stronger? You would test them at the beginning of the study to see how strong they were, then you would have them lift for a couple of months, and then you would retest them. In simple, that's what you'd do. In the health field that type of study is called a "clinical study."
Most of the studies on EEG biofeedback training want to know, "Is the patient better or worse after having done X number of EEG biofeedback sessions?" Three out of four times the subjects are better off having done the training.
We personally provided EEG biofeedback training in our practice for ten years. Most of our patients liked it very much. As we mentioned earlier, we have worked with a wide assortment of patients from head injured, autistic spectrum disorders, Attention Deficit Disorder -- ADHD, up to professional athletes who wanted "peak performance training." Just think of it as weight lifting for the brain.
Might it help your child?
EEG biofeedback training works best with subjects who have average to high IQ, are seven years old or older, can sit still for a few minutes if interested in what he's doing, and are motivated people. It works much less well for those with low IQ, or are very young, or who couldn't sit still under any circumstances, or those who "don't want to be here." The worst results are with 14 to 17 year olds who have been dragged to treatment by their mothers and don't want to be there.
The "Dark Side" of the intervention is the cost. Treatment sessions range from $50/session up to $150/session, depending on the provider and the part of the country you live in. The usual course of treatment is two to four treatment sessions per week, for a total of about 25 to 40 sessions. However, we have seen some people do very well in as few as five sessions.
Our experience is that 65% to 75% of Attention Deficit Disorder - ADD ADHD individuals receive benefit from this intervention. Results are usually slow but steady. Realistically plan on needing about 30 to 40 sessions (30-40 minutes each session). We believe that the results of EEG biofeedback training can be enhanced significantly by using the Nutraceutical ATTEND while undergoing the neurofeedback training. We cannot prove this with research, but that has been our experience.
You can learn more about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and various treatment options for ADHD at the ADHD Information Library.
Douglas Cowan, Psy.D., is a family therapist who has been working with ADHD children and their families since 1986. He is the clinical director of the ADHD Information Library's family of seven web sites, including http://www.newideas.net, helping over 350,000 parents and teachers learn more about ADHD each year. Dr. Cowan also serves on the Medical Advisory Board of VAXA International of Tampa, FL., is President of the Board of Directors for KAXL 88.3 FM in central California, and is President of NewIdeas.net Incorporated.
Teacher Tips: Presenting Your Lesson to ADHD Students
Thank you to all of our professional educators who dedicate themselves to our children! We know how difficult it can be working with ADHD children, so here are your teacher tips for the week, brought to you by the ADHD Information Library and ADDinSchool.com.
The Truth about the Effects of Too Much Television on ADD or ADHD
Attention deficiency disorder (ADD) or attention deficiency and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) might not kill you, but its adverse effects could last a lifetime. While there are various possible inborn causes for ADHD, letting your child watch too much television at an early age can also increase the chance of your child having this condition. In conclusion, television do contribute to ADD and ADHD.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Neurologically Based
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a neurologically based disorder.
This position has become controversial as many would like to dismiss the diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder altogether saying that there is no evidence of neurological differences, or that there are no medical tests to diagnose ADD ADHD, or that the diagnostic criteria is too broad.
Country Living... Help For Attention Deficit Disorder?
Scientists don't understand why Attention Deficit Disorder is increasing so quickly.One reason may be that more and more people are living in congested, overcrowded situations.
Attention Deficit Disorder Without Hyperactivity: A Growing Problem Among Children
Although attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the most commonly talked about disorder in children today, attention deficit disorder without hyperactivity is just as much of a problem. ADHD is more easily diagnosed because the hyperactivity is easy to see. So it is important for parents to know what to look for to determine whether their child has Attention deficit disorder without hyperactivity.
ADHD and Iron Deficiency
About 8% of children, ages 4 years and under, are deficient in iron. Between the ages of 5 and 12, the percentage rises to 13%, and then settles back to 8% in people above the age of 15.
Educating Yourself With Attention Deficit Disorder Research
A diagnosis of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) carries with it a whole new set of challenges. Suddenly, behavior that was hard to explain now fits within a standard definition of a widespread disorder. More and more children and adults are being diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder, and consequently, Attention Deficit Disorder research has become the focus of an entire generation.
ADHD Improved Without Drugs
Advancing the circadian rhythm has been shown to improve both objective and subjective measures of ADHD symptoms. University scientists have developed special glasses that block the blue rays that cause a delay in the start of the flow of melatonin, the sleep hormone. Putting on the glasses a couple of hours ahead of bedtime eliminates this delay thereby advancing the circadian rhythm.
ADHD: A Dialogue With a Non-Believer, part two
Dear Sir,
It was with some interest that I read the article What You Should Know About Attention Deficit Disorder by Edward W. after having it handed to me by a member of our church.
Examining Drugs for ADHD, Particularly Strattera
In memory of 14 year old Matthew Smith; 11 year old Stephanie Hall; and 10 year old Shaina Dunkle and other children who have died from the use of psychotropic drugs for "ADHD".The Eli Lilly company has been marketing a new drug for those who are labeled as ADHD known as Strattera.
Success with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder over the Holidays
Dr. Kenny Handelman wants to know your questions about how to deal with your child's ADD or ADHD over the holidays, and he will answer your question on a free live teleseminar on Thursday December 14, 2006
Joining An Attention Deficit Disorder Support Group
Living with the effects of Attention Deficit Disorder can be overwhelming and enormously demanding. Everyday activities that are barely noticed by other people take on a whole new set of challenges when you have Attention Deficit Disorder. The impact on one?s daily life can really only be understood by those who have also experienced it. For this reason, many who suffer from this condition often find participation in an Attention Deficit Disorder Support Group to be enormously helpful.
Old Wives Tales and Other Things That Just Might Help with ADHD
Here are some tips that I have picked up from parents that I have met over my 15 years working with ADHD kids and their families. These are not clinically tested.
How to Improve the Quality of Life for ADHD Children
ADHD or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder affects approximately 7.8% of the children in America and about 4.3% of these children are on medication for this disorder. ADHD greatly affects the quality of life of these children as well as their families.
Parenting Child With ADHD
Lets be totally, brutally honest: raising a child with ADHD can be very draining and place a heavy strain on your emotions.m Many people keep asking on how to parent an ADHD child. Frustration and impatience can slowly develop for parent of child with ADHD, and stress just seems to well up inside of you, and the best and most effective way on parenting children with ADHD is a near impossible question to answer.