A comparison of EEG bio-feedback and methylphenidate in treating attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To study the effectiveness of EEG bio-feedback in ameliorating the attention of children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) compared to a control group receiving methylphenidate treatment; and to explore the effectiveness of EEG bio-feedback in treating ADHD children refractory to methylphenidate. Methods Forty-four ADHD children were randomly assigned to an EEG bio-feedback group or a methylphenidate group. An additional twenty ADHD children refractory to methylphenidate were referred to as EEG bio-feedback group B. The two EEG bio-feedback groups received training in enhancing their beta activity and suppressing their theta activity. The methylphenidate group were treated with methylphenidate for 3 months. The subjects′ attention stability was measured using a number cancellation test. Their attention allocation and attention shift were tested using a neuropsychological behavioral test instrument, including trail-making test. All groups received re-tests during treatment, post-treatment and during a 6 month follow-up. Results During treatment, the cancellation speed of children in the EEG bio-feedback group A was slower than that of children in the MPH group. At the end of the treatment, there were no significant differences in speed between the two groups. Six months to one year after treatment the cancellation speed of the EEG bio-feedback group A was significantly faster than that of the MPH group. The EEG bio-feedback group B demonstrated significant increases in their cancellation speeds after 20 treatments and during a 1 year follow-up. During treatment and post-treatment, Q scores were significantly lower in EEG bio-feedback group A than in the methylphenidate group. Six months to one year after treatment the Q scores were significantly higher in EEG bio-feedback group A than in the methylphenidate group. There was no significant increase in the Q scores in EEG bio-feedback group B during treatment, but they increased significantly post-treatment. There was no significant difference in the trail-making time between EEG bio-feedback group A and the methylphenidate group during the treatment. Six months to one year after treatment, the trailmaking times in EEG bio-feedback group A were significantly less than in the MPH group. EEG bio-feedback group B showed significant decreases in trailmaking time post-treatment and during follow-up. Conclusions EEG bio-feedback may produce significant and long-term improvements in attention stability, attention allocation and attention shift. EEG bio-feedback may be useful for children with ADHD when methylphenidate is ineffective.