Neurofeedback in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN76187185 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN76187185 |
| Protocol serial number | DFG HO2503 4/1 |
| Sponsor | Ruhr-Universität Bochum (Germany) |
| Funder | German Research Council (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft [DFG]) (Germany) (ref: GZ: HO 2503/4-1) |
- Submission date
- 20/01/2009
- Registration date
- 05/02/2009
- Last edited
- 18/04/2017
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Mental and Behavioural Disorders
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common behavioral disorder of childhood. Key symptoms include impaired attention, excessive motor activity, and impulsivity. At present, drugs like methylphenidate are the preferred treatment for children who have ADHD. Among alternative treatments, Neurofeedback is a non-invasive treatment for children with ADHD. Neurofeedback is a procedure that encourages the individual to exercise a certain amount of self-control over his/her 'brainwaves' as recorded by an electroencephalogram. The aim is that the children learn how to bring their neurophysiological profile closer to that of non-ADHD children, resulting in improvements in behaviour and cognition. This study will examine how well Neurofeedback works for children with ADHD in comparison to an unspecific peripheral biofeedback treatment (muscular relaxation).
Who can participate?
Children with a clinical diagnosis of ADHD and aged between 7 and 10 years old.
What does the study involve?
Children will be randomly allocated to either an average of 25 sessions of Neurofeedback or peripheral biofeedback training in 3 months. Each session will last about 60 minutes. After a six-month period, a follow-up examination will be conducted focusing on the long-term effects.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Until now, no serious side effects of Neurofeedback or peripheral biofeedback have been reported.
Where is the study run from?
Department of Child and Adolescent, Ruhr-Universität Bochum (Germany),
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
From April 2009 to April 2012.
Who is funding the study?
The project is funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), Germany.
Who is the main contact?
Prof Martin Holtmann
martin.holtmann@zi-mannheim.de
Contact information
Scientific
LWL University Hospital Hamm of the Ruhr- Universität Bochum
Clinic of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine
Heithofer Allee 64
Hamm
59071
Germany
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | Single-blind randomised controlled parallel-group trial |
| Secondary study design | Randomised parallel trial |
| Study type | Participant information sheet |
| Scientific title | Neurofeedback in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): a single-blind randomised controlled trial |
| Study acronym | Feedback |
| Study objectives | Preliminary results indicate that neurofeedback showed specific effects on impulse control in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) children. Futhermore, significant improvement in behaviour, attention and intelligence quotient (IQ) was observed after neurofeedback. Despite these promising results, there is still a lack of evidence on whether the observed effects are caused specifically by this intervention and are not due to unspecific effects only. The primary objective is to investigate the effects of neurofeedback on core symptoms of ADHD. On 14/07/2011 the overall trial end date was changed from 01/04/2011 to 01/04/2012. |
| Ethics approval(s) | Ethics Committee of the Department of Medicine, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, 08/01/2009, ref: 297/08 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) |
| Intervention | Participants will be randomly allocated to the following two groups (1:1 randomisation ratio): Intervention group: Neurofeedback of slow cortical potentials in addition to treatment as usual (TAU). Treatment of subjects will be performed in four trial centres. Children will attend an average of 25 sessions of neurofeedback training in 3 months. Each session is expected to last approximately 60 minutes. This will include time needed for electrode montage as well as 4 x 10 minute feedback segments. Control group: Peripheral electromyographic (EMG) biofeedback in addition to TAU. Children assigned to the EMG group will attend an average of 25 sessions of peripheral EMG biofeedback (muscular relaxation at different regions of the body). Duration of sessions, surface of the feedback device, reinforcement and transfer exercises will be identical to the neurofeedback setting. |
| Intervention type | Other |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
Change in ADHD Rating Scale at pre-test, treatment phase, post-test 1, post-test 2, follow-up. |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
The following will be assessed at pre-test, post-test 1, post-test 2, follow-up: |
| Completion date | 01/04/2012 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Patient |
|---|---|
| Age group | Child |
| Lower age limit | 7 Years |
| Upper age limit | 10 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 144 |
| Key inclusion criteria | Subjects meeting all of the following criteria will be considered for admission to the trial: 1. Both males and females, aged 7 to less than 10 years inclusive 2. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV) diagnosis of ADHD, combined type 3. Ability of subject to understand character and individual consequences of clinical trial 4. Written informed consent must be available before enrolment in the trial 5. For women with childbearing potential, adequate contraception |
| Key exclusion criteria | 1. Below IQ 80 (Culture Fair Test [CFT]) 2. Bipolar disorder, psychosis, serious obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), chronic serious tics or Tourette syndrome 3. Pharmacotherapy for severe anxiety and mood disorders and psychosis 4. Major neurological or medical illness 5. Non-German speaking child and primary caretaker 6. No telephone 7. Suicidal 8. Pregnancy and lactation 9. Participation in other clinical trials and observation period of competing trials, respectively |
| Date of first enrolment | 01/04/2009 |
| Date of final enrolment | 01/04/2012 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- Germany
Study participating centre
59071
Germany
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Not provided at time of registration |
| IPD sharing plan |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Results article | results | 31/03/2017 | Yes | No | |
| Protocol article | protocol | 13/08/2014 | Yes | No | |
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
Editorial Notes
18/04/2017: Publication reference added.
