behavioral symptoms
Research Papers
Safety and Feasibility of neurofeedback training (NFB) during sleep in uncooperative child with Autism: case report
Purpose: Neurofeedback (NFB) training has demonstrated significant potential in achieving symptoms reduction in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). However, children with low-functioning ASD are often uncooperative with the treatment. To evaluate whether NFB can eventually be administrated during sleep, a safety and feasibility pilot study was performed. Methods: A 9-year-old male patient diagnosed with ASD underwent NFB training for 30 min twice a week. This was operated at home during sleep by the parents. The NFB protocol aimed at increasing sensorimotor rhythm (SMR) while simultaneously decreasing theta activity over the sensorimotor strip. Results: NFB during sleep was feasible and did not yield adverse side effects. Parents reported improved behavioral and emotional symptoms and enhanced language development following NFB training. Subsequently, the patient could participate in regular sessions of NFB in wakefulness. Conclusion: Overall, parental reports suggest that applying NFB during sleep in low-functioning ASD is feasible and might offer promising therapeutic avenues
View Full Paper →Neurofeedback training produces normalization in behavioural and electrophysiological measures of high-functioning autism
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition exhibiting impairments in behaviour, social and communication skills. These deficits may arise from aberrant functional connections that impact synchronization and effective neural communication. Neurofeedback training (NFT), based on operant conditioning of the electroencephalogram (EEG), has shown promise in addressing abnormalities in functional and structural connectivity. We tested the efficacy of NFT in reducing symptoms in children with ASD by targeting training to the mirror neuron system (MNS) via modulation of EEG mu rhythms. The human MNS has provided a neurobiological substrate for understanding concepts in social cognition relevant to behavioural and cognitive deficits observed in ASD. Furthermore, mu rhythms resemble MNS phenomenology supporting the argument that they are linked to perception and action. Thirty hours of NFT on ASD and typically developing (TD) children were assessed. Both groups completed an eyes-open/-closed EEG session as well as a mu suppression index assessment before and after training. Parents filled out pre- and post-behavioural questionnaires. The results showed improvements in ASD subjects but not in TDs. This suggests that induction of neuroplastic changes via NFT can normalize dysfunctional mirroring networks in children with autism, but the benefits are different for TD brains.
View Full Paper →Long term effects after feedback of slow cortical potentials and of theta-beta-amplitudes in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Though it had already been shown in the 1970s that neurofeedback improves attention, academic performance and social behavior in children with ADHD, it has not been considered as a standard therapy so far. This is mainly due to the small number of controlled studies fulfilling methodological standards - especially long term data was not available so far. We are the first to present long term data of children undergoing neurofeedback training. 47 patients in the age of 8-12 years were randomly assigned to two different training groups. One group was trained to self regulate slow cortical potentials (SCP), the other group tried to influence Theta- and Beta-amplitudes. Follow-up evaluation was carried out 6 months and more than 2 years after the last training session. Eleven children of the SCP group and 12 children of the Theta/Beta group took part in three booster sessions. Parents rated behavioral symptoms as well as frequency and impact of problems. Attention was measured with the Testbatterie zur Aufmerksamkeitsprüfung (TAP). All improvements in behavior and attention that had been observed at previous assessments turned out to be stable. Yet another significant reduction of number of problems and significant improvement in attention was observed. EEG-self regulation skills were preserved. In each group, half of the children no longer met ADHD - criteria. Neurofeedback appears to be an alternative or compliment to traditional treatments. The stability of changes might be explained by normalizing of brain functions that are responsible for inhibitory control, impulsivity and hyperactivity.
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