American Academy of Pediatrics Recognizes that Neurofeedback Is as Well-Validated as Medication for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Recently the American Academy of Pediatrics placed biofeedback (neurofeedback) as a Level 1 “Best Support” Intervention for ADHD (Attention and Hyperactivity Behaviors). This affirms the success that we see in our clients with ADHD and is an important step forward in recognizing the powerful effects of Biofeedback in providing a non-invasive, non-drug treatment for a wide range of cognitive disorders.
What does “Best Support” mean? How does the American Academy of Pediatrics make this determination? Every six months the AAP updates their chart of “Evidence-Based Child and Adolescent Psychosocial Interventions.” They evaluate the data and research that exist to determine what works and what doesn’t. This information is passed on to pediatricians so that they can better serve their patients. ”Best Support” indicates that the AAP has found that biofeedback is an effective treatment for ADHD and could be recommended as a primary option.
What does “Best Support” mean? How does the American Academy of Pediatrics make this determination? Every six months the AAP updates their chart of “Evidence-Based Child and Adolescent Psychosocial Interventions.” They evaluate the data and research that exist to determine what works and what doesn’t. This information is passed on to pediatricians so that they can better serve their patients. ”Best Support” indicates that the AAP has found that biofeedback is an effective treatment for ADHD and could be recommended as a primary option.
Autistic spectrum disorders research
Matched Treatment Group result in 26% averaged reduction in autism symptoms.
Jarusiewicz (2002). evaluating children with an autistic spectrum diagnosis who received neurofeedback. The Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist and parental assessments noted a 26% averaged reduction in autism symptoms. Parent reports showed improvement in all behavioral areas. According to the author, "magnitude of improvement was independent of initial severity or age."
Double Blind Study Showing Improvements in Autistic Behaviors and with Sustained Attention Pineda, et al. investigated the postulate that certain heterogeneous features of Autistic Spectrum Disorders are related to the Mirror Neuron Systems (MNS) of the frontal and parietal lobes. Researchers performed two studies utilizing neurofeedback training with high functioning autistic children. Neurofeedback was used to train the mu frequency band of the individuals EEG (8-25 Hz), which is thought to be related to the MNS. In the first study, the experimental group, with high functioning autism, showed increased sustained attention and increased subscales scores on The Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) , when compared to the control group. In the second study, subjects with high functioning autism underwent similar procedures under a double blind design, showing similar improvements in sustained attention and on the ATEC. In both studies, the control and experimental groups showed similar improvements in imitation ability suggesting that training the mu frequency has a positive impact on behavior and attention, but not necessarily on imitation learning.
Pineda, J. A., Brang, D., Hecht, E., Edwards, L., Carey, S., Bacon, M., Futagaki, C., Suk, D., Toma, J., Birnabaum, C., Rork, A. (2009). Positive behavioral and electrophysiological changes following neurofeedback training in children with autism. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 2(3), 557–581.
Significant improvement in cognitive flexibility, goal setting, and attentional control.
Kouijzer, et. Al. (2008) utilized 40 sessions of neurofeedback training to enhance theta/beta ratios in children with diagnoses of Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified, compared to a waiting list control group. The authors speculate that inhibiting theta activation and enhancing beta activation modulates symptoms of autism related to hypoactivation of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). Subjects were evaluated on a variety of dimensions related to executive functioning, including: attentional control, cognitive flexibility, goal setting, speed and efficiency, as well as language structure, pragmatics, and social interaction. Their results showed the most significant improvement in cognitive flexibility, goal setting, and attentional control. The authors suggest that these findings further support the presence of an underlying causative factor related to executive functioning deficits of individuals in the Autistic Spectrum.
Kouijzer, M. E., de Moor, J. M., Gerrits, B. J., Congedo, M., van Schie, H. T. (2008). Neurofeedback improves executive functioning in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders (3)1, 145-162, doi: 10.1016/j.rasd.2008.05.001
For further information you may visit psychservices.net or contact Spectrum Psychological and Neurotherapy Services at 757-640-1882.
Jarusiewicz (2002). evaluating children with an autistic spectrum diagnosis who received neurofeedback. The Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist and parental assessments noted a 26% averaged reduction in autism symptoms. Parent reports showed improvement in all behavioral areas. According to the author, "magnitude of improvement was independent of initial severity or age."
Double Blind Study Showing Improvements in Autistic Behaviors and with Sustained Attention Pineda, et al. investigated the postulate that certain heterogeneous features of Autistic Spectrum Disorders are related to the Mirror Neuron Systems (MNS) of the frontal and parietal lobes. Researchers performed two studies utilizing neurofeedback training with high functioning autistic children. Neurofeedback was used to train the mu frequency band of the individuals EEG (8-25 Hz), which is thought to be related to the MNS. In the first study, the experimental group, with high functioning autism, showed increased sustained attention and increased subscales scores on The Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) , when compared to the control group. In the second study, subjects with high functioning autism underwent similar procedures under a double blind design, showing similar improvements in sustained attention and on the ATEC. In both studies, the control and experimental groups showed similar improvements in imitation ability suggesting that training the mu frequency has a positive impact on behavior and attention, but not necessarily on imitation learning.
Pineda, J. A., Brang, D., Hecht, E., Edwards, L., Carey, S., Bacon, M., Futagaki, C., Suk, D., Toma, J., Birnabaum, C., Rork, A. (2009). Positive behavioral and electrophysiological changes following neurofeedback training in children with autism. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 2(3), 557–581.
Significant improvement in cognitive flexibility, goal setting, and attentional control.
Kouijzer, et. Al. (2008) utilized 40 sessions of neurofeedback training to enhance theta/beta ratios in children with diagnoses of Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified, compared to a waiting list control group. The authors speculate that inhibiting theta activation and enhancing beta activation modulates symptoms of autism related to hypoactivation of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). Subjects were evaluated on a variety of dimensions related to executive functioning, including: attentional control, cognitive flexibility, goal setting, speed and efficiency, as well as language structure, pragmatics, and social interaction. Their results showed the most significant improvement in cognitive flexibility, goal setting, and attentional control. The authors suggest that these findings further support the presence of an underlying causative factor related to executive functioning deficits of individuals in the Autistic Spectrum.
Kouijzer, M. E., de Moor, J. M., Gerrits, B. J., Congedo, M., van Schie, H. T. (2008). Neurofeedback improves executive functioning in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders (3)1, 145-162, doi: 10.1016/j.rasd.2008.05.001
For further information you may visit psychservices.net or contact Spectrum Psychological and Neurotherapy Services at 757-640-1882.