The popularity of EEG Biofeedback Training continues to grow both in the USA and around the world. Many parents are searching for treatment options for ADHD other than medications, and as a results are exploring this high tech approach to treatment. Here are some things that I think you should know about Neurofeedback or EEG Biofeedback training if you are considering it for your ADDer:
First, I believe it to be a good option for treatment. This is based on my ten years of personal experience as a provider of this option in my practice. I have treated over 300 ADHD kids and adults using excellent equipment from EEG Spectrum in Encino, CA. I have found that about 70% of my clients have received either "good" or "excellent" results from the training.
I am often surprised by the results, and sometimes disappointed by the results. For example, I am just completing treatment with a 20 year old college student with ADD (space-cadet type) who is very bright and highly motivated. His brother had been through treatment in the past and had done remarkably well, as had his step-sister. Yet he has had only fair improvement at best. He has received most of his benefit from taking the nutraceutical Attend on a regular basis, and at much less cost.
Yet I am also treating a 13 year old girl with ADHD, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and HUGE temper tantrums. This young person has been on several medications with little or no benefit. We have done only three sessions and there have been zero tantrums (used to be one per day on average) and the parents are so excited they can hardly contain themselves. I cannot explain why some do so well, and sometimes quickly, while others barely benefit. But I also cannot explain why some benefit from medications, diet, Attend, therapy, essential fatty acids, pycnogenol, or whatever, and others do not.
Treatment: Following diagnosis and baseline testing. Typically the subject wears one or two electrodes on the scalp to monitor the EEG activity of the brain. The brainwaves are amplified and displayed on the therapist*s computer screen, both in raw wave-form and broken into various frequency bands. The subject sees a representation of this electrical activity in the form of animation on his computer monitor. The training involves learning to increase the activity in specific frequency bands and decreasing the activity in other specific frequency bands. Various computer animation and games are used for the feedback to the subject. Yes, subjects can learn to change and control their brainwave activity.
Realistic Expectations for treatment: If your child has never been on medication, you might be able to get good enough results to never have to use meds. If your child is currently using medications, you might be able to discontinue meds altogether. Maybe. Mostly what we see, however, is that kids will use both the training and a small dose of medication. I am usually happy if we can cut the dosage of the medication by half or more and still get the same level of performance from the child.
Controversy: The mainline ADDers tend to be opposed to EEG training on the grounds that there are only clinical studies, no -double-blind- studies on the effectiveness of the treatment. Yes, this is true. And there will not be any either.
Why? Because a double-blind study means that the subject does not know whether he is using the experimental treatment or just a placebo treatment which is assumed to have no effect on the subject. Double-blind studies are great when you are talking about pills, but they are not useful for much of anything else. For example think of weight-lifting.
Could you prove that weight- lifting made subject stronger with a double-blind study? Never.
Could you prove that reading a book increased the reader's knowledge with a double-blind study. Never.
Most things cannot be tested with double-blind studies because the subject has to participate in the treatment actively. So the criticism about biofeedback lacking double-blind studies is a hallow argument, and they know it, but the press always prints it without question and many people assume it is a valid criticism.
Are there clinical studies? Yes, dozens, maybe hundreds at this point. EEG Spectrum has collected data on over 2,000 subject to date. That is just one provider. There are about 800 providers in the USA at this time. However, choose only providers who know what they are doing. There is no substitute for experience or for good equipment. Slow feedback from the equipment is not helpful. Typically the more expensive the equipment the better, because the software is able to deliver the feedback to the subject very very quickly. Ask around for a good provider. And avoid people who treat this like a religion. It is a very good tool, but there are several good tools available. For more information visit the ADHD Information Library at newideas.net.
Douglas Cowan, Psy.D., is a family therapist who has been working with ADHD children and their families since 1986. He is the clinical director of the ADHD Information Library's family of seven web sites, including http://www.newideas.net, helping over 350,000 parents and teachers learn more about ADHD each year. Dr. Cowan also serves on the Medical Advisory Board of VAXA International of Tampa, FL., is President of the Board of Directors for KAXL 88.3 FM in central California, and is President of NewIdeas.net Incorporated.
Wood Dale Chicago prom limo .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareThere is nothing pleasant about failure, at least not at... Read More
Isn't it ironic that a country whose constitution allows for... Read More
In seminars I am often asked about pocket-money and whether... Read More
Having worked with parents for the last 35 years and... Read More
Your child's teacher says that you need to find out... Read More
Pool safety should be on the minds of every parent... Read More
It's that time of year when mom and dad look... Read More
There is a front line and a back end to... Read More
"It takes a village to raise a child" is more... Read More
There are only two ways to get more money:1) Increase... Read More
There are several treatment options available to help improve the... Read More
The choices are mind numbing. Walk into any toy store... Read More
Gift shops are a kid magnet and often a trip... Read More
What you say and do about money has a profound... Read More
Saying no to our children is not always easy or... Read More
Do any other reality TV junkies remember a show on... Read More
Moms and dads, are there times you think that parenting... Read More
The children of Baby Boomers, the Echo Generation, are entering... Read More
There are a few points about shyness in children which... Read More
Q. "What do you want to be when you grow... Read More
Words are truly powerful things. They are something that becomes... Read More
Public education in the United States has never been equal... Read More
I have three children, ages 19 and 16 (yes, the... Read More
My cousin boasts five names and I confess that when... Read More
"No thank you. Don't bother to send me the report... Read More
Antigo wedding limo ..Is there anything wrong with lying, cheating, stealing, shop-lifting, taking... Read More
Childhood friendships are as special as they are a necessary... Read More
Think back to your own childhood. Chances are, some of... Read More
Q. We just got our daughter's progress report, and it... Read More
Many children enjoy TV, and they can learn from it.... Read More
Researchers have estimated that 25-35% of children in the United... Read More
Have you ever watched your teenager make a mistake (that... Read More
The Internet, is magnificent in its resources for families. Educational... Read More
Are you considering a car wash fundraiser for your group?... Read More
Is there a way to build a robot to help... Read More
I am crying tears of joy mixed with great sadness... Read More
The great thing about children is they absorb knowledge like... Read More
As with everything, names go through cycles of change with... Read More
If You're Having Twins..is it double the headache, or double... Read More
Once upon a time, I thought I had it all.... Read More
Some children practically potty train themselves, while others struggle and... Read More
Saying no to our children is not always easy or... Read More
The time you will need to teach your children the... Read More
As a hypnotherapist, I am acutely aware of the power... Read More
Becoming a stepmother can undoubtedly be one of the most... Read More
Many children are jittery on the first day of school.... Read More
Once the newness has worn off a little, you will... Read More
Parents are always looking for ways to open up the... Read More
It's hard to explain to the uninitiated the changes that... Read More
It can be difficult on all family members to have... Read More
Parenting |