J. Jarmolowska, P.P Battaglini
B.R.A.I.N. Center for Neuroscience, Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Italy
Neurofeedback (NF) is a type of biofeedback that uses real-time displays of brain activity, or some kind of its correlates, to teach self-regulation of brain function. It is associated with behavioural, cognitive and academic gains. Thanks to NF, individuals can learn to alter their typical EEG pattern to one that is consistent with a focused, attentive state. This has been suggested to be particularly useful in subjects affected by Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). ADHD is a brain disorder marked by an ongoing pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development. NF is considered as the most promising non-medication approach and has the added advantage that the results take a long time to disappear when training stops. The most common pattern of EEG activity found in ADHD is the excess of theta waves in the frontal region. There can also be the excess of alpha or reduction of beta activity. We performed 10 NF sessions in four ADHD children (8–12 years), clinically diagnosed, 2 times a week for 5 weeks. The Mindwave cup (Neurosky, one frontal electrode and wireless connection with the main PC) and the games FocusPocus and Kidzen were used. A 21-led Quantitative-EEG was done before and after the training period. In three out of the four children changes were observed in the QEEG after the training period: a reduction of the frontal theta activity and a less pronounced reduction of frontocentral alfa activity, which became more posterior. These preliminary results seem to confirm a regularization of the brain activity after NF in ADHD children.
Keywords: neurofeedback, ADHD, reduction of theta activity