Status:

COMPLETED

Pilot Feasibility Study of Neurofeedback for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Lead Sponsor:

L. Eugene Arnold

Collaborating Sponsors:

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Brain Resource Center

Conditions:

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Eligibility:

All Genders

6-12 years

Phase:

NA

Brief Summary

Neurofeedback is increasingly advocated for treatment of ADHD despite a thin evidence base. The numerous open and partially controlled studies suffer serious design flaws. In particular, there is no p...

Detailed Description

Thirty-nine boys and girls aged 6-12 with rigorously diagnosed DSM-IV ADHD not currently taking medication will be twice-randomized: first to active neurofeedback (n=26) vs. sham neurofeedback (n=13),...

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

  • Age 6-12 inclusive.
  • Boys and girls.
  • Primary diagnosis of ADHD, inattentive or combined type.
  • Not currently taking medication for ADHD.
  • Primary caretaker who can provide frequent parent ratings.
  • Item mean ≥1.5 on a 0-3 metric on parent/teacher ratings of DSM-IV inattentive symptoms or on parent/teacher ratings of all 18 ADHD symptoms (while off medication).
  • IQ 80 or above and mental age of 6 years or more.
  • Willingness and ability to come for 40 treatment sessions and to cooperate with assessments.
  • Informed consent and assent

Exclusion

  • Comorbid disorder requiring psychoactive medication including psychosis, bipolar disorder, severe major depression, and severe anxiety disorders. Patients with mild depression or anxiety not requiring pharmacotherapy will be included and the comorbid symptoms will be tracked.Pervasive developmental disorder is exclusionary by DSM-IV definition of ADHD.
  • Medical disorder requiring systemic chronic medication that has confounding psychoactive effects. Asthma inhalants will be allowed, but not chronic systemic corticoids.
  • Mental Retardation.
  • Anything that would interfere with assessments or study treatment or contraindicate study treatment.
  • Plans to move requiring school change during the next 4 months.
  • Antipsychotic agent in the 6 months prior to baseline assessment, fluoxetine or atomoxetine in the 4 weeks prior to baseline, stimulant in the week prior to baseline, or other psychiatric medication in the two weeks prior to baseline.
  • Previous neurofeedback training of more than 5 treatments.

Key Trial Info

Start Date :

August 1 2008

Trial Type :

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation :

ACTUAL

End Date :

June 1 2011

Estimated Enrollment :

39 Patients enrolled

Trial Details

Trial ID

NCT00886483

Start Date

August 1 2008

End Date

June 1 2011

Last Update

November 11 2016

Active Locations (1)

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The Ohio State University Nisonger Center

Columbus, Ohio, United States, 43210