Neurofeedback and Computerized Cognitive Training in Different Settings for Children and Adolescents With ADHD

Summary

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is among the most common childhood-onset psychiatric disorders, with a negative and long-lasting impact on academic achievement, social integration and quality of life. In recent years, the efficacy of non-pharmacological treatments for ADHD, such as neurofeedback training (NF) and computerized cognitive training (CCT), has been at the centre of research. Although an increasing number of well-designed studies have shown that both methods may improve ADHD core symptoms according to parents' ratings, the underlying mechanisms are still a matter of debate. Teachers often report smaller improvements, if any. This has been explained by their lesser involvement in the training. It remains questionable, however, whether other factors may also account for this effect and whether methods other than placebo control may be applied in order to demonstrate the specificity and efficacy of NF and CCT.

The main purpose of this project is to demonstrate and compare the efficacy of two different computer-based treatment methods for children and adolescents with ADHD, namely NF and CCT, and to examine the impact of different treatment settings, with half of the participants being trained in a clinical setting and the other half at school. The investigators want to show that is feasible to implement NF and CCT in a school setting and that both methods, conducted either at school or in a clinical setting, may lead to significant improvements of ADHD symptoms as well as to specific and differential effects. Besides the differential impact of the settings on informant ratings, the investigators will evaluate the effects of the training methods on neuropsychological and electrophysiological outcome. Classroom behavior of the children before and after the training will be evaluated by trained observers not informed on treatment assignments and settings.

Conditions

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Neurofeedback training

In neurofeedback training, EEG-activity is visualized and fed back to the participant online on a computer screen. Successful regulation is rewarded by bonus points. The aim is to gain control over one's brain activity and to be able to switch to or to maintain a more wakeful, alert or focussed state.

BEHAVIORAL

Computerized cognitive training

In computerized cognitive training, impaired neuropsychological functions, such as inhibition, working memory, distractibility, are directly trained by adaptive computerized software programs. We use training programs from a scientifically based training system for patients presenting problems with sustained, focussed or selective attention, working memory, inhibition, processing speed. Good performance / improvements are rewarded with bonus points.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Swiss National Science Foundation

  collaborator OTHER

• University of Zurich

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Renate Drechsler, PhD · University Clinic of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Zurich

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

8 Years

Max Age

16 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2013-12-31

Primary Completion

2017-03-31

Completion

2017-09-30

Countries

• Switzerland

Study Locations