Turn That Video Game ON!
Neurofeedback for ADHD
Neurofeedback for ADHD sounds so Sci-Fi.So what is it? And what does it have to do with ADHD? Many males younger than 35 can attest to the laser pointed focus that they have for video games. Women are less likely to be into video games but I think the effects of this treatment might work just the same for them too.
Video games create a huge amount of focus. The instant gratification from playing, the constant wins and praise for success. It draws us in and we lose hours to them. The only other thing that gets my attention as much is skateboarding. I love it! The advantage with video games is that I don’t tire nearly as quickly. What is going on here? Why is it that someone who can’t focus on a task for even a few minutes can suddenly devote hours of time to one thing?? Is this a joke?
Am I faking?
I must be crazy!
It turns out there is an explanation for the video game focus. The good news is that it can be harnessed to improve the symptoms of ADHD. It’s all about waves. Or at least that is what some scientists are saying. I will get into more detail in just a bit. The other news is that jury is out on neurofeedback for ADHD as an effective treatment for ADHD. There are a few reasons why.
What is it Neurofeedback for ADHD?
Here is the science part. Don’t worry I will try to be brief.Biofeedback is a way of monitoring the bodies systems to become aware of them. Then you can use that awareness to manipulate these systems.In other words: Training the body by taking detail measurements of it. Then using that information to improve or train certain reactions. Some things that can be monitored and controlled are brainwaves, muscle tone, skin conductance, heart rate and pain perception. Eventually, the training can be maintained without the use of the montoring equipment. Neurofeedback for ADHD is biofeedback using the brain.  The scan they use to look into the brain is called Electroencephalography (EEG) and that is the last time I will ever use the huge word. Lets just say EEG in the future. This technique has been used successfully since the early seventies with patients that have epilepsy.  There are a many different wavelengths that you brain operates at. Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Theta. No it is not a brain frathouse or anything. Doctors just use weird terms.
The EEG records electrical activity or waves along the scalp produced by the firing of neurons within the brain. The readouts look like a polygraph or lie detector test, like what you would see on TV. Some of these waves are stronger when we are sleeping, other are when we are concentrating. It gets more complicated than that but this is enough for us to understand the waves and ADHD. So here is the cool part. Using a video game train ourselves to use the waves that make us concentrate. We wear a helmet that scans our waves while we play a game. When we are concentrating and using the right kind of waves to games works better. We can go faster, get power-up and better scores.If you lose our concentration then the good waves drop and the game gets harder. By doing this we will try harder and get used to tapping into our good waves. The more we do this the easier it gets to get the good waves or the concentration going. Just like when you do weight training. The first few workouts are really difficult, but as you get stronger as you get better at flexing you brain you get better. Eventually you get so good at tapping into the right waves that you can use it in your regular life. You learn to concentrate when you need to. Huh? You say. Yes! neurofeedback for ADHD is like pushups for your brain. Just like pushups the more you do the better you get (and the bigger your muscles get). The benefits last too. After you are trained the greater level of brain fitness stays with you. You use it every day and you maintain a good level of concentration at a level that you would never have imagined before the training. This is such good news! It takes about 40 sessions done weekly to get the benefits from neurofeedback treatment. This session can be done at home or at a clinic if one is near you.
There is a Problem with the Research
Most studies show that there is an improvement in the symptoms of ADHD when neurofeedback is treatment is given. These improvements stay with the patient after the treatment is done. It seems that they have learned have to control ADHD and that its stays with them for life.These studies and clinical evidence that show a good case for the benefits of Neurofeedback for ADHD as a treatment for ADHD. Despite this information leading ADHD experts do not endorse the use of neurofeedback for ADHD. They say that the current research and clinical results are not scientific. Claiming that neurofeedback treatment needs to be tested using something called a double blind study. This is commonly known as using a placebo or sugar pill with some participants and the “real thing” with others. Both the participants and the researchers are blind to who is taking what. That is why it is double blind. At the end of the research the different sides are compared and revealed. This gives an objective look at how participants responded to the treatment. The problem is that a study like this would not work for neurofeedback treatment. It would be too easy for the participants to figure out that the game was not working. After one or two session the patients would know whether or not the game was getting easier or just staying the same. At this point the study would breakdown. A different form of research is needed. The type of research done so far is the best way to test this type of treatment. Even with lots of evidence these experts still maintain that it is not proper research and do not support ADHD neurofeedback as a treatment for ADHD. The good news is that there are more detailed studies on ADHD neurofeedback taking place right now. I am not a doctors or a PhD researcher. So I can’t comment on what is right or wrong on to subject. That is their job. I want you to be aware that ADHD neurofeedback has its advantages and disadvantages.  The main drawback to not being accepted by the experts is that the treatment does not qualify for coverage under medical insurance. This leaves ADHD neurofeedback as something the user would have to pay for out of pocket and it is not cheap. A session can cost around $100 a pop. At 40 sessions that is a lot of $$ to fork out.
Many individuals and families dealing with ADHD would find it hard to cover the cost. Opting instead for treatments that are covered by insurance.
Advantages and Disadvantages of ADHD Neurofeedback
Advantages- Has lasting effects
- No side effects
- Can be done at a clinic
- Can be done at home
- Home version could be sold after it has been used to recoup some costs
Disadvantages - High cost
- Not covered by health insurance
- Results are not completely proven
- Home version may not be implemented properly
In the Home Or at the Clinic
I'll Take Either
Neurofeedback for ADHD shows promising results that look good to me. If you can retrain your brain and achieve lasting results.That sounds really great!I hope that the new research provides enough evidence to get ADHD neurofeedback approved and insured as a treatment for ADHD. Having lasting positive affects sounds awesome to me. If we can add one more powerful tool to control ADHD then I am always a happy camper.
Like this site? Please share this ADHD site.
Return from Neurofeedback for ADHD to ADHD Treatment
Return from Neurofeedback for ADHD to ADHDaction homepage
|
