Quantitative EEG and neurofeedback in children and adolescents: anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, comorbid addiction and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and brain injury

Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am. 2014 Jul;23(3):427-64. doi: 10.1016/j.chc.2014.03.001.

Abstract

This article explores the science surrounding neurofeedback. Both surface neurofeedback (using 2-4 electrodes) and newer interventions, such as real-time z-score neurofeedback (electroencephalogram [EEG] biofeedback) and low-resolution electromagnetic tomography neurofeedback, are reviewed. The limited literature on neurofeedback research in children and adolescents is discussed regarding treatment of anxiety, mood, addiction (with comorbid attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder), and traumatic brain injury. Future potential applications, the use of quantitative EEG for determining which patients will be responsive to medications, the role of randomized controlled studies in neurofeedback research, and sensible clinical guidelines are considered.

Keywords: ADHD; Addiction; Anxiety disorders; Brain injury in children and adolescents; Depression; LORETA; Neurofeedback; Quantitative EEG.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Anxiety Disorders / physiopathology
  • Anxiety Disorders / therapy
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / epidemiology
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / physiopathology
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / therapy
  • Behavior, Addictive / epidemiology
  • Behavior, Addictive / physiopathology
  • Behavior, Addictive / therapy
  • Brain Injuries / physiopathology
  • Brain Injuries / therapy
  • Child
  • Comorbidity
  • Depressive Disorder / physiopathology
  • Depressive Disorder / therapy
  • Electroencephalography / methods*
  • Humans
  • Neurofeedback / methods*
  • Substance-Related Disorders / epidemiology
  • Substance-Related Disorders / physiopathology
  • Substance-Related Disorders / therapy
  • Treatment Outcome