Quantitative EEG neurofeedback for the treatment of pediatric attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorders, learning disorders, and epilepsy

Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am. 2014 Jul;23(3):465-86. doi: 10.1016/j.chc.2014.02.001.

Abstract

Neurofeedback (NF) using surface electroencephalographic signals has been used to treat various child psychiatric disorders by providing patients with video/audio information about their brain's electrical activity in real-time. Research data are reviewed and clinical recommendations are made regarding NF treatment of youth with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism, learning disorders, and epilepsy. Most NF studies are limited by methodological issues, such as failure to use or test the validity of a full-blind or sham NF. The safety of NF treatment has not been thoroughly investigated in youth or adults, although clinical experience suggests reasonable safety.

Keywords: ADHD; Autism spectrum disorders; EEG biofeedback; Epilepsy; Learning disorders; Neurofeedback; Neurotherapy; Quantitative EEG.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / physiopathology
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / therapy
  • Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / physiopathology
  • Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / therapy
  • Electroencephalography / methods*
  • Epilepsy / physiopathology
  • Epilepsy / therapy
  • Humans
  • Learning Disabilities / physiopathology
  • Learning Disabilities / therapy
  • Neurofeedback / methods*
  • Treatment Outcome