Is neurofeedback effective in children with ADHD? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Neurocase. 2022 Feb;28(1):84-95. doi: 10.1080/13554794.2022.2027456. Epub 2022 Jan 24.

Abstract

To evaluate the evidences related to the effectiveness of neurofeedback treatment for children and adolescent with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) based on the most-proximal raters. A systematic review of randomized control trials (RCTs) was carried out across multiple databases. the primary outcome measure was the most proximal ratings of ADHD symptoms in subjects. Conner's Parent Rating Scale (CPRS), Conner's Teacher Rating Scale (CTRS), and ADHD Rating Scale (ADHD-RS- are considered as primary outcomes. Seventeen trials met inclusion criteria (including 1211 patients). Analysis showed that there was no significant benefit of neurofeedback treatment compared with other treatments or control conditions [weighted mean difference/CI = HI-P: -0.02 (-0.26, 0.21), HI-T: 0.01 (-0.46, 0.48), weighted mean difference/CI = I-P: 0.00 (-0.23, 0.23), I-P: 0.12 (-0.14, 0.38)]. The results provide preliminary evidence that neurofeedback treatment is no efficacious clinical method for ADHD and suggest that more RTCs are needed to compare common treatment .

Keywords: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder; EEG biofeedback; meta-analysis; neurofeedback; slow cortical potentials.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity* / diagnosis
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity* / therapy
  • Child
  • Humans
  • Neurofeedback* / methods