Neurofeedback Training for Autistic Children

Summary

The goal of this study is to learn if a new brain training method, called combined electroencephalography (EEG) and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) neurofeedback, can improve thinking, emotions, and social functioning in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It will also learn if this training is practical and safe to use with children in Hong Kong.

The main questions this study aims to answer are:

* Does combined EEG-fNIRS neurofeedback improve attention, emotion regulation, and social skills in children with ASD?
* Is this type of neurofeedback training feasible and well-tolerated by children? Researchers will compare the new combined EEG-fNIRS training with single EEG or fNIRS training to see if it provides additional benefits.

Participants will:

.Receive sessions of EEG-fNIRS neurofeedback training. .Complete assessments of thinking skills, emotional regulation, and social functioning before and after training.

Conditions

• Autism
• Autistic Disorders Spectrum
• Neurofeedback
• EEG
• fNIRS

Interventions

DEVICE

EEG and fNIRS

For EEG and fNIRS, EEG signals will be recorded using the ANT Neuro eego rt 8 amplifier device (ANT Neuro, Hengelo, The Netherlands), with electrodes placed at C3, C4, F3, F4, Fpz, M1, M2, and GND (ground). fNIRS signals will be recorded using the Artinis Brite Lite fNIRS device(Artinis Medical Systems, The Netherlands). The overall channel configuration consists of eight sources and four detectors. Among these, four sources (T2a-d) and four detectors (R1-4) form four short-separation channels, while the remaining four sources and four detectors constitute six long-separation channels (T1-R1, T3-R1, T3-R2, T4-R3, T5-R3, T5-R4). The overall configuration is approximately arranged in two L-shaped layouts surrounding the F3 and F4 regions.

DEVICE

EEG

EEG signals will be recorded using the ANT Neuro eego rt 8 amplifier device (ANT Neuro, Hengelo, The Netherlands), with electrodes placed at C3, C4, F3, F4, Fpz, M1, M2, and GND (ground).

DEVICE

fNIRS

fNIRS signals will be recorded using the Artinis Brite Lite fNIRS device(Artinis Medical Systems, The Netherlands). The overall channel configuration consists of eight sources and four detectors. Among these, four sources (T2a-d) and four detectors (R1-4) form four short-separation channels, while the remaining four sources and four detectors constitute six long-separation channels (T1-R1, T3-R1, T3-R2, T4-R3, T5-R3, T5-R4). The overall configuration is approximately arranged in two L-shaped layouts surrounding the F3 and F4 regions.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• HOME Psychological Services Ltd.

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• ANT Asia Pacific

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Education University of Hong Kong

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Kin Chung Michael Yeung, PhD · Education University of Hong Kong

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

TRIPLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

8 Years

Max Age

12 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-07-01

Primary Completion

2025-12-31

Completion

2026-01-31

Countries

• Hong Kong

Study Locations