Neurofeedback and ADHD

When an ADHD child is given a task requiring attention, instead of increasing beta waves, sometimes he/she increases theta waves, the day dreaming brain wave. These children have what is known as a high theta/beta ratio. Using neurofeedback, a technique was developed to train ADHD children to increase the beta/theta ratio.

This is how it works: Over a series of 40 or more neurofeedback sessions, children are gradually taught to inhibit the brain’s production of theta waves and increase the brain’s use of beta waves. A large number of children can learn to make these changes. As the children learn to adjust their brain wave patterns, they show an improvement in cognition, and a reduction in ADHD symptoms and behavior. This symptomatic improvement is similar to what we see when the children take stimulant medication. There is one significant difference, however.

When children take stimulants, the effects last a few hours. As the medicine wears off, the ADHD symptoms return. When children learn to control their brain waves using neurofeedback, the improvement in ADHD symptoms does not disappear. The child is better.

When a child completes his/her neurofeedback training and the treatment is successful, he/she now has a normal beta/theta ratio, and many or all of his/her ADHD symptoms disappear. This improvement is permanent. There have been follow-up studies over a decade. Any gains the child makes stay with him/her.

This means that when the treatment is successful, it works for life. This makes neurofeedback a very effective treatment.