Efficacy of EEG Biofeedback Training on EEG Maturation in Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder.

Jiri Tyl, Svojmil Petranek, Vaclava Tylova, Radek Ptacek, EvaNoskova, Vladimir Krajca, EEG Biofeedback Institute, Prague, Czech Republic

Efficacy of EEG Biofeedback training in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) on electrical activity was studied. Thirty sessions (45minutes each) of EEG Biofeedback training were applied to 40 ADHD subjects aged 9-13 years. Two-channel Brainfeedback+ equipment was used. Training protocols addressed ADHD symptoms (left hemisphere in attentiveness and right hemisphere hyperactivity). The EEG conditioning protocols rewarded EEG amplitudes in the 15-20 and 12-15Hz frequency bands respectively, and inhibited theta (4-7 Hz) and fast beta (>20 Hz) bands. Independent EEG assessments were provided.

Clinical EEG evaluations before and after treatment were followed by quantitative EEG and multivariate mathematical analyses by Wave-Finder software. Pre-training EEG of subjects averaged moderate to heavy retarded EEG (an insufficient alpha presence, and a diffuse slow activity). Post-training signal decreased significantly in delta (1-3Hz; p<0.001) and fast beta (>20 Hz; p<0.0!5) activity in the stimulated areas. Mathematical analysis confirmed significant changes in the increase of stability; lower amplitude and amplitude variance; the maximum occurrence of the alpha activity moved from central-parietal areas into parietal-occipital.

The efficacy study has reached changes in EEG native signal following the training:post-training clinical evaluation found significant (p<O.001) shift in the group average to age-adequate maturation level. Overall brain electrical activity has matured and normalized in 85 per cent of the ADHD subjects.