Neurofeedback is not an FDA-approved treatment for ADHD, but some research suggests it may be beneficial.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common childhood neurodevelopmental disorder. About
Treating ADHD often involves a combination of medication and behavioral strategies. Parents concerned about the side effects of medications may be interested in alternative techniques, like neurofeedback.
Keep reading to learn about neurofeedback and what research says about whether it can help treat ADHD.
Neurofeedback training is also called electroencephalogram (EEG) biofeedback. An EEG measures electrical activity in your brain. Neurofeedback uses these measurements to help you learn how to train your brain.
During a neurofeedback session, your child’s doctor or therapist will attach sensors to their head. They will connect these sensors to a monitor and allow your child to see their own brain wave patterns.
Then, the doctor or therapist will instruct your child to focus on certain tasks. If your child can see how their brain functions when focusing on particular tasks, they might be able to learn to control their brain activity.
Neurofeedback may help your child learn how to regulate their brain activity, which will help them concentrate better at school or work.
In most people, concentrating on a task helps to speed up brain activity. This makes your brain more efficient. The opposite is true for children with ADHD.
In children with ADHD, concentrating can leave them vulnerable to distraction and less efficient. That’s why simply telling them to pay attention isn’t the most effective solution.
Neurofeedback training might help your child learn to make their brain more attentive when it needs to be. In theory, your child can use the biofeedback sensors and monitor as a guide to help them learn to keep their brain active while concentrating or performing certain tasks.
During a therapy session, they can try a variety of strategies to maintain their focus and see how it affects their brain activity. This might help them develop successful strategies to use when they’re no longer attached to the sensors.
The evidence for neurofeedback as an effective treatment for ADHD is mixed.
A
However, a
Critics of neurofeedback note that supportive studies may have flawed methodologies or small study sizes. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has yet to approve neurofeedback to treat ADHD.
A 2020 review found that no study reported any major side effects from neurofeedback for ADHD.
However, other neurofeedback studies have noted that some people may experience short-term side effects related to using the EEG, such as:
- fatigue
- sleep problems
- headache
Neurofeedback may involve up to 40 sessions and can cost as much as $10,000. Given the cost of various ADHD medications and behavioral therapies over many years, it’s unclear whether neurofeedback is more expensive in the long term.
However, insurance companies typically do not cover neurofeedback sessions. While you can often get insurance coverage or other assistance for medications and other treatments, you’ll typically need to cover the cost of neurofeedback training out-of-pocket.
Pros of neurofeedback for ADHD
- noninvasive
- minimal side effects
- possibly as effective as medication for some people
Cons of neurofeedback for ADHD
- not FDA-approved due to mixed research results
- expensive
- time consuming
Each child’s journey with ADHD is unique. What works for one child may not work for another. That’s why it’s important to work with your child’s doctor to develop an effective treatment plan.
If you’re interested in neurofeedback training, ask your child’s doctor for more information. They can help you understand how it works and whether or not your child is a good candidate.