Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
This topic is extensively covered elsewhere. In brief, the brain mechanisms that govern attention are trainable, and they are trainable efficiently, even in the nervous systems labeled ADHD. In combination with other remedies, essentially complete resolution of ADHD symptoms should be achievable for the vast majority (85-95%) of children so diagnosed. The remainder should function much better for having trained their brains. Almost no one in this category remains unaffected in their level of function with Neurofeedback. For those whose progress is either slow or minute, attention must be given to other factors impinging on the condition (including dietary factors; heavy metal toxicity; mineral availability; gut function; aspartame dependency; lifestyle issues; family systems issues; etc.)
It has been shown in one Canadian study that more than 85% of ADHD children no longer benefited from stimulant medication after Neurofeedback. With continued advance in training protocols, this percentage may well approach 95%. On the other hand, the focus is always on obtaining better function, not on getting the children off medications.
In a paper titled "Update on Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder," published in Current Opinion in Pediatrics (Current Opinion in Pediatrics. 16(2):217-226, April 2004.), Katie Campbell Daley reviewed the research and practice standards on treatment of ADHD. Dr. Daley is on the staff of the Department of Medicine, Children's Hospital Boston and in the Department of Pediatrics of the Harvard Medical School.
Her conclusion: "Overall, these findings support the use of multi-modal treatment, including medication, parent/school counseling, and EEG biofeedback, in the long term management of ADHD, with EEG biofeedback in particular providing a sustained effect even without stimulant treatment... Parents interested in non-psychopharmacologic treatment can pursue the use of complementary and alternative therapy. The therapy most promising by recent clinical trials appears to be EEG biofeedback."
Case Report:
The following are excerpts from an article by Dan Dinello that appeared in the Chicago Tribune, November 11, 2007:
Julie Hancher's 8-year-old son, Nathan, who experienced many problems at school, was diagnosed with ADHD. "He was having trouble focusing and being attentive to the teacher," said Hancher, who lives in the northwest suburbs. "He was getting angry and having trouble completing his assignments."
Taking large doses of Concerta, a timed-release variation of the same ingredient in Ritalin, "was making him too lethargic and sleepy," so she and her husband were desperate for an alternative. After extensive research, they took Nathan to Bonesteel's [Neurofeedback] clinic. Neurofeedback for children often employs a video-game interface, such that controlling brain waves takes the form of slowing or speeding up a rocket ship or racecar.
"I just play the game, it's fun," Nathan said. He goes once a week for an hour. "We saw gradual improvement," Hancher said. "He's more attentive, with improved coping skills and less anxiety. He takes less medication, and he's totally focused in therapy. He's even made the honor roll."
"You can chemically condition the brain with pills or do it with Neurofeedback," Bonesteel said. "But Neurofeedback trains more specifically than pills, without the side effects. It also changes the brain for the better in an ongoing way."
Case Vignette:
We just had a 20-session evaluation of a 12-year-old boy with ADHD. Before the start of training he had severe concentration problems, irritability, anger, oppositional behavior, and low empathy. He often had problems socially at school and even got involved in occasional fighting.
Today after the training his parents declared that he is a "new" boy. He exhibits a softer personality, with more empathy. He is doing better at school. Fighting is no longer an issue, and he now has several good friends. His parents even noticed him doing his homework voluntarily a number of times. This had never happened before. These days he can go home after school with his own key to the house. This is another neurofeedback success story.
