Neurophysiological effects of neurofeedback for ADHD treatment in preschoolers: an open clinical trial

• Grant number: 12/05642-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: October 01, 2012
• End date: September 30, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Psychiatry
• Principal Investigator: Guilherme Vanoni Polanczyk
• Grantee: Matheus Gerhard Rosenfeld
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is characterized by excessive symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity than expected and functional impairment, and there is consistent evidence that the first symptoms begin early. The early institution of treatments aimed at promoting brain development can have a significant impact on the longitudinal trajectory of deficits and associated losses. Neurofeedback, formally known as EEG biofeedback, is an alternative non-pharmacological treatment for ADHD that has become more evident in recent years. Patients with ADHD have a higher proportion of theta waves, associated with numbness and sleepiness, than beta waves, associated with a focus in situations that require attention. The computer is programmed to generate rewards every time the person makes changes in the EEG in the desired direction, i.e. controls the proportion theta/beta. Although a growing number of studies report the effect of neurofeedback for children over 6 years with ADHD, there is no data available in the literature regarding the effect of neurofeedback for children younger than 6 years. Objectives Test the effectiveness of neurofeedback for the modulation of electrophysiological characteristics (beta and theta waves) during training. Materials and methods there will be an open trial with 30 children from 4 years to 5 years and 11 months with a confirmed diagnosis of ADHD by DSM-IV. All children will receive neurofeedback training focused on the regulation of theta and beta. The training consists of 20 sessions with 20 minutes each, with the frequency of sessions twice a week for each patient, according to the appropriate time for the family. The study will include three periods of evaluation: one at the beginning of treatment (sessions 1 and 2), another in the middle (sessions 9 and 10), and another at the end (sessions 19 and 20).(AU)