Regresar

Neurofeedback vs. Neurofeedback: Controlling for social support factors as potential unspecific effects sources in the treatment of children with ADHD.

Abstract:

The practice of neurofeedback (NF) as an alternative therapeutic approach in the treatment of ADHD has been widely studied by several neuropsychologists in recent years. Empirical evidence supporting the positive effects of NF in the improvement of the core symptoms of ADHD (inattention and impulsivity), has led the researchers to the assumption that the effectiveness of NF might not only complement, but also overcome other therapeutical approaches commonly used in the ADHD treatment as medication or cognitive behavioral therapy (Taylor et al., 2004). Designed as a neurobehavioral treatment, NF aims both to acquire strategies that allow the ADHD patient to control his/her disturbed brain activity at particular regions and to translate those acquired strategies into daily life (Gevensleben et al., 2009). These strategies are mostly developed through two protocols commonly used in NF training: slow cortical potentials training (SCPs) and theta/beta training (Gevensleben et al., 2009). In both NF protocols, patients are asked to “mentally” regulate the direction of an animated character shown on a computer screen while being recorded by particular EEG electrodes (usually Cz). Consequently, patients are rewarded (feedback), when the expected direction of the animated character is achieved (Drechsler et al., 2007). The SCP training protocol aims the regulation of the cortical activity elicited at the sensory motor cortex (Gevensleben et al., 2009). SCP’s negativity regulation is associated with increased cortical activity and cognitive preparation (Drechsler et al., 2007) while the SCP’s positivity regulation is associated with a decreased cortical …