Consensus on the reporting and experimental design of clinical and cognitive-behavioural neurofeedback studies (CRED-nf checklist).

Neurofeedback has begun to attract the attention and scrutiny of the scientific and medical mainstream. Here, neurofeedback researchers present a consensus-derived checklist that aims to improve the reporting and experimental design standards in the field.

Congenital Hypotonia in Toddlerhood.

CASE: David is a 22-month-old boy who is new to your practice. He recently moved from a rural area in the Midwest. His father is in the United States Air Force, and his mother works as a full-time homemaker. Their household includes 5 older siblings. The family moves every year because of the father's Air Force placement.David was born full-term in Virginia, with no reported pregnancy complications and no alcohol, tobacco, or drug exposure. He was delivered vaginally, with Apgar scores of 7 and 9, respectively and no respiratory issues. In the newborn nursery, his nurse noted that he was floppy, with generalized low muscle tone. Laboratory work performed included normal thyroid studies and a chromosomal microarray.Because of persistent hypotonia, he was seen by a pediatric neurologist at 9 months of age. A magnetic resonance imaging was performed and was normal, with no structural deficits noted. He was referred to Early Intervention at 6 months, when he was not yet rolling over. He received physical therapy for a few months before the family moved again for his father's next placement.David presents in your office as a sweet nondysmorphic toddler who maintains steady eye contact and smiles responsively. His height, head circumference, and weight are at the 50th percentile. His physical examination is notable for generalized hypotonia, with intact upper and lower deep tendon reflexes. He spontaneously says about 20 words. He turns his head when his name is called and can follow a simple command, such as "clap, clap." He reaches his whole hand toward desired objects and will look at his parents if they are out of reach. He can grasp a block, bang, and transfer objects. He demonstrates an immature pincer grasp. He can roll over and sit independently and is just beginning to pull to a stand. His parents report he has recently restarted Early Intervention, where he is receiving physical, speech, and occupational therapy. His audiology examination is normal.His parents' primary concern today is regarding feeding. David is a picky eater. He has difficulty with new foods and textures. The parents noticed a regression in his tolerance for new foods around the recent move. He eats baby puffs, stage 2 to 3 baby foods, and fruit and vegetable pouches. He does not like soft, sticky foods. He is also reported to have other sensory sensitivities. He does not tolerate loud noises and is bothered by tags in his clothing. You wonder, what further work-up would be helpful for David? How can his feeding issues be addressed?

"When the Prescription Pad Is Not Enough": Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Management 2.0.

CASE: Jose is a 13-year-old boy who presents to his primary care provider after struggling in school for many years. When he was in the first grade, he was diagnosed at a tertiary center with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Multiple medication trials have produced few benefits and many side effects including poor sleep, morbid thoughts, lack of motivation, and, according to his parents, "he seemed like a robot."He comes now for his annual physical in April, and the parents tell you that the school is threatening that he be retained in the seventh grade. Parents are very adamant they do not want to try another medication. They have brought you their own and his advisor's Vanderbilt's, which each endorse 7 of 9 inattentive symptoms including trouble organizing, poor attention to detail, and easily distracted and forgetful in daily activities.His birth history and developmental history before beginning formal schooling are unremarkable. His first language was English whereas his parents speak Spanish to each other but not the children. He is healthy and without a history of head trauma, seizures, meningitis, or lead poisoning. An aunt has "learning problems."Jose's family lives in a crowded section of a large urban area. They share an apartment with another family, and both parents are employed full time with his father holding 2 full time jobs working double shifts. Their annual income is at the poverty line. There are 4 children in the family aged between 6 and 13 years.His school has been deemed a "recovery school" because of performing below standard on district-wide achievement tests. His classroom has 27 students, many of whom are English language learners, and he is not on an individualized education plan or 504 accommodations.The family is very concerned about the possibility of retention but have decided that "medicine does not help," and they look to you for other recommendations. Where do you go next?

A pilot feasibility study of neurofeedback for children with autism.

Neurofeedback (NFB) is an emerging treatment for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This pilot study examined the feasibility of NFB for children with ASD. Ten children ages 7-12 with high functioning ASD and attention difficulties received a NFB attention training intervention. A standardized checklist captured feasibility, including focus during exercises and academic tasks, as well as off-task behaviors. Active behaviors and vocalizations were the most frequent off-task behaviors. Positive reinforcement and breaks including calm breathing exercises were the most common supports. Low motivation was associated with higher feasibility challenges, yet parental involvement and accommodations were helpful. This pilot study shows that it is feasible to conduct NFB sessions with children with high functioning autism and attention difficulties.

In-school neurofeedback training for ADHD: sustained improvements from a randomized control trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate sustained improvements 6 months after a 40-session, in-school computer attention training intervention using neurofeedback or cognitive training (CT) administered to 7- to 11-year-olds with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). METHODS: One hundred four children were randomly assigned to receive neurofeedback, CT, or a control condition and were evaluated 6 months postintervention. A 3-point growth model assessed change over time across the conditions on the Conners 3-Parent Assessment Report (Conners 3-P), the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function Parent Form (BRIEF), and a systematic double-blinded classroom observation (Behavioral Observation of Students in Schools). Analysis of variance assessed community-initiated changes in stimulant medication. RESULTS: Parent response rates were 90% at the 6-month follow-up. Six months postintervention, neurofeedback participants maintained significant gains on Conners 3-P (Inattention effect size [ES] = 0.34, Executive Functioning ES = 0.25, Hyperactivity/Impulsivity ES = 0.23) and BRIEF subscales including the Global Executive Composite (ES = 0.31), which remained significantly greater than gains found among children in CT and control conditions. Children in the CT condition showed delayed improvement over immediate postintervention ratings only on Conners 3-P Executive Functioning (ES = 0.18) and 2 BRIEF subscales. At the 6-month follow-up, neurofeedback participants maintained the same stimulant medication dosage, whereas participants in both CT and control conditions showed statistically and clinically significant increases (9 mg [P = .002] and 13 mg [P < .001], respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Neurofeedback participants made more prompt and greater improvements in ADHD symptoms, which were sustained at the 6-month follow-up, than did CT participants or those in the control group. This finding suggests that neurofeedback is a promising attention training treatment for children with ADHD.

Neurofeedback and cognitive attention training for children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in schools.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of 2 computer attention training systems administered in school for children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). METHOD: Children in second and fourth grade with a diagnosis of ADHD (n = 104) were randomly assigned to neurofeedback (NF) (n = 34), cognitive training (CT) (n = 34), or control (n = 36) conditions. A 2-point growth model assessed change from pre-post intervention on parent reports (Conners 3-Parent [Conners 3-P]; Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function [BRIEF] rating scale), teacher reports (Swanson, Kotkin, Agler, M-Flynn and Pelham scale [SKAMP]; Conners 3-Teacher [Conners 3-T]), and systematic classroom observations (Behavioral Observation of Students in Schools [BOSS]). Paired t tests and an analysis of covariance assessed change in medication. RESULTS: Children who received NF showed significant improvement compared with those in the control condition on the Conners 3-P Attention, Executive Functioning and Global Index, on all BRIEF summary indices, and on BOSS motor/verbal off-task behavior. Children who received CT showed no improvement compared to the control condition. Children in the NF condition showed significant improvements compared to those in the CT condition on Conners 3-P Executive Functioning, all BRIEF summary indices, SKAMP Attention, and Conners 3-T Inattention subscales. Stimulant medication dosage in methylphenidate equivalencies significantly increased for children in the CT (8.54 mg) and control (7.05 mg) conditions but not for those in the NF condition (0.29 mg). CONCLUSION: Neurofeedback made greater improvements in ADHD symptoms compared to both the control and CT conditions. Thus, NF is a promising attention training treatment intervention for children with ADHD.

"When the prescription pad is not enough": attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder management 2.0.

CASE: Jose is a 13-year-old boy who presents to his primary care provider after struggling in school for many years. When he was in the first grade, he was diagnosed at a tertiary center with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Multiple medication trials have produced few benefits and many side effects including poor sleep, morbid thoughts, lack of motivation, and, according to his parents, "he seemed like a robot."He comes now for his annual physical in April, and the parents tell you that the school is threatening that he be retained in the seventh grade. Parents are very adamant they do not want to try another medication. They have brought you their own and his advisor's Vanderbilt's, which each endorse 7 of 9 inattentive symptoms including trouble organizing, poor attention to detail, and easily distracted and forgetful in daily activities. His birth history and developmental history before beginning formal schooling are unremarkable. His first language was English whereas his parents speak Spanish to each other but not the children. He is healthy and without a history of head trauma, seizures, meningitis, or lead poisoning. An aunt has "learning problems."Jose's family lives in a crowded section of a large urban area. They share an apartment with another family, and both parents are employed full time with his father holding 2 full time jobs working double shifts. Their annual income is at the poverty line. There are 4 children in the family aged between 6 and 13 years.His school has been deemed a "recovery school" because of performing below standard on district-wide achievement tests. His classroom has 27 students, many of whom are English language learners, and he is not on an individualized education plan or 504 accommodations.The family is very concerned about the possibility of retention but have decided that "medicine does not help," and they look to you for other recommendations. Where do you go next?

Benefits of yoga for psychosocial well-being in a US high school curriculum: a preliminary randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To test feasibility of yoga within a high school curriculum and evaluate preventive efficacy for psychosocial well-being. METHODS: Grade 11 or 12 students (N = 51) who registered for physical education (PE) were cluster-randomized by class 2:1 yoga:PE-as-usual. A Kripalu-based yoga program of physical postures, breathing exercises, relaxation, and meditation was taught 2 to 3 times a week for 10 weeks. Self-report questionnaires were administered to students 1 week before and after. Primary outcome measures of psychosocial well-being were Profile of Mood States-Short Form and Positive and Negative Affect Schedule for Children. Additional measures of psychosocial well-being included Perceived Stress Scale and Inventory of Positive Psychological Attitudes. Secondary measures of self-regulatory skills included Resilience Scale, State Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2™, and Child Acceptance Mindfulness Measure. To assess feasibility, yoga students completed a program evaluation. Analyses of covariance were conducted between groups with baseline as the covariate. RESULTS: Although PE-as-usual students showed decreases in primary outcomes, yoga students maintained or improved. Total mood disturbance improved in yoga students and worsened in controls (p = .015), as did Profile of Mood States-Short Form (POMS-SF) Tension-Anxiety subscale (p = .002). Although positive affect remained unchanged in both, negative affect significantly worsened in controls while improving in yoga students (p = .006). Secondary outcomes were not significant. Students rated yoga fairly high, despite moderate attendance. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation was feasible and students generally found it beneficial. Although not causal due to small, uneven sample size, this preliminary study suggests preventive benefits in psychosocial well-being from Kripalu yoga during high school PE. These results are consistent with previously published studies of yoga in school settings.

Evaluation of the mental health benefits of yoga in a secondary school: a preliminary randomized controlled trial.

The goal of this study was to evaluate potential mental health benefits of yoga for adolescents in secondary school. Students were randomly assigned to either regular physical education classes or to 11 weeks of yoga sessions based upon the Yoga Ed program over a single semester. Students completed baseline and end-program self-report measures of mood, anxiety, perceived stress, resilience, and other mental health variables. Independent evaluation of individual outcome measures revealed that yoga participants showed statistically significant differences over time relative to controls on measures of anger control and fatigue/inertia. Most outcome measures exhibited a pattern of worsening in the control group over time, whereas changes in the yoga group over time were either minimal or showed slight improvements. These preliminary results suggest that implementation of yoga is acceptable and feasible in a secondary school setting and has the potential of playing a protective or preventive role in maintaining mental health.

Computer-based attention training in the schools for children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a preliminary trial.

Objective. This study examined the efficacy of 2 computer-based training systems to teach children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) to attend more effectively. Design/methods. A total of 41 children with ADHD from 2 middle schools were randomly assigned to receive 2 sessions a week at school of either neurofeedback (NF) or attention training through a standard computer format (SCF), either immediately or after a 6-month wait (waitlist control group). Parents, children, and teachers completed questionnaires pre- and postintervention. Results. Primary parents in the NF condition reported significant (P < .05) change on Conners's Rating Scales-Revised (CRS-R) and Behavior Assessment Scales for Children (BASC) subscales; and in the SCF condition, they reported significant (P < .05) change on the CRS-R Inattention scale and ADHD index, the BASC Attention Problems Scale, and on the Behavioral Rating Inventory of Executive Functioning (BRIEF). Conclusion. This randomized control trial provides preliminary evidence of the effectiveness of computer-based interventions for ADHD and supports the feasibility of offering them in a school setting.