RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: Neurofeedback has been proposed as an effective alternative for pharmacological treatment in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), with potentially long-term and delayed benefits. However, the specificity of such long-term behavioral improvements remains inconclusive and therefore additional research into the neurophysiological effects of neurofeedback is needed. We compared long-term effects of theta/beta neurofeedback (NFB) to methylphenidate (MPH) and physical activity (PA, semi-active control intervention) on electroencephalogram (EEG) power spectra. Based on the vigilance stabilization model, we hypothesized further reductions in theta and alpha power in the NFB compared to the control groups. METHOD: EEG power spectra (theta, alpha and beta) during resting and task conditions were recorded at pre-, post-intervention and 6-months follow-up in 67 children, aged 7-13 (NFB: n = 24, MPH: n = 23, or PA: n = 20). RESULTS: Analyses revealed no power spectra differences at follow-up between MPH and NFB (range p = .165-.905) and PA and NFB (range p = .172-.822). CONCLUSIONS: No evidence was found for the specificity of theta/beta NFB at follow-up. SIGNIFICANCE: This was the first study into long-term neurophysiological effects of theta/beta NFB. Future studies are encouraged to explore both specific and non-specific mechanisms of NFB. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: Train Your Brain? Exercise and neurofeedback intervention for ADHD, https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT01363544, Ref. No. NCT01363544.
Asunto(s)
Trastorno por Déficit de Atención con Hiperactividad/terapia , Ritmo beta/fisiología , Corteza Cerebral/fisiopatología , Neurorretroalimentación/métodos , Ritmo Teta/fisiología , Adolescente , Trastorno por Déficit de Atención con Hiperactividad/fisiopatología , Niño , Electroencefalografía , Femenino , Humanos , MasculinoRESUMEN
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.
Asunto(s)
Lista de Verificación/métodos , Neurorretroalimentación/métodos , Adulto , Consenso , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Revisión de la Investigación por Pares , Proyectos de Investigación/normas , Participación de los InteresadosRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: Children with ADHD have difficulties attending to task-relevant events, which has been consistently associated with reductions in the amplitude of the P3b event-related potential (ERP) component. However, the underlying neural networks involved in this P3b reduction remain elusive. Therefore, this study explored source localization of P3b alterations in children with ADHD, aiming at a more detailed account of attentional difficulties. METHODS: Dense array ERPs were obtained for 36 children with ADHD and 49 typically developing children (TD) using an auditory oddball task. The P3b component (310-410 ms) was individually localized with the LAURA distributed linear inverse solution method and compared between groups. RESULTS: The ADHD group showed reduced P3b amplitudes in response to targets compared to the TD group. Differences were located primarily in frontopolar (cinguloopercular network, BA10) and temporoparietal regions (ventral attention network, BA39 and 19) in the left hemisphere. Reductions in P3b amplitudes were related to more inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity problems in the ADHD group. CONCLUSIONS: The results show alterations in both top-down and bottom-up attention-related brain areas, which may underlie P3b amplitude reductions in children with ADHD. SIGNIFICANCE: This study provides novel data on both temporal and spatial aspects of dysfunctional attention processes in ADHD.