ADHD Alternative to Medication Rated Efficacious and Specific, the Highest Clinical Research Level

There is an evidence-based alternative to methylphenidate for children and adults who suffer from ADHD. It is called EEG biofeedback, or neurofeedback, and it has been rated as creating a "Level 5 research outcome". Level 5, optimum clinical research level, shows that EEG biofeedback is "Efficacious and Specific" when utilized to help people who have adhd (ADD) or its cousin attention deficit (ADHD). In other words, the effects when working with neurofeedback for ADD and ADHD have been shown be statistically significant as in comparison with prescription drugs or groups utilizing a placebo treatment. By contrast, a "Level 1 research outcome" is supported only by personal stories or case studies in non-peer reviewed publications.

In order for EEG biofeedback being rated as "Efficacious and Specific" for ADHD, it required multiple studies with the same statistically significant outcomes. A meta-analysis was performed on collected research on neurofeedback treatment for ADHD and was published inside the Journal of Clinical EEG and Neuroscience in '09.

"In line while using guidelines for rating clinical efficacy, we conclude that neurofeedback strategy for ADHD can be viewed 'Efficacious and Specific' (level 5) having a high effect size for inattention and impulsivity and a medium effect size for hyperactivity."

One of the smaller, yet spectacular studies (n=20) used functional magnetic resonance imaging or fMRI to measure the effect of EEG biofeedback around the brains of children with ADHD. fidget cube australia from the children chosen were taking or had taken psychostimulant drugs such Ritalin, Straterra or Adderall. Nor had any in the children undergone cognitive training prior to study. Children enrolled inside the study were randomly used on the experimental group who received neurofeedback, and the other children were used on the Control group and didn't receive EEG biofeedback training. Subjects from both groups were scanned using an fMRI seven days before commencing neurofeedback and 7 days following the end of neurofeedback training.

The fMRI was performed while they were performing an attentional task. In addition, performance tests (Digit Span, the IVA, and also the CPRS-R) were administered 1 week prior to the beginning of neurofeedback and 1 week after neurofeedback. The results of the study suggested that in ADHD children, EEG biofeedback will be able to normalize the functioning with the anterior cingulate cortex or ACC, the main element area inside brain related to selective attention. In other words, the fMRI showed structural changes in the brain as it improved its self-regulation.

Replicated studies suggest that the groups who may have successfully improved their ADHD symptoms continues to savor those benefits long after the training has ended. Other issues which may have shown statistically significant improvement in studies include: addiction, depression, pain, affective disorders, learning disabilities, Asperger's, migraines, epilepsy, memory, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI).