OBJECTIVEAttention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common behavioral disorder in children. When the children fulfill cognition tasks, brain theta wave activity increases and beta wave activity weakens. This study aimed to explore the efficacy of electroencephalographic (EEG) biofeedback therapy for ADHD in children by assessing the changes of the ratio of brain theta to beta waves and the integrated visual and auditory continuous performance test (IVA-CPT).

METHODSEEG biofeedback therapy was performed in 30 children with ADHD. The ratio of brain theta to beta waves was measured before and after therapy. IVA-CPT was used to assess the effectiveness of biofeedback therapy.

RESULTSAfter two courses of treatment, the mean ratio of brain theta to beta waves in the 30 children with ADHD was significantly reduced from 12.32+/-4.35 (before treatment) to 6.54+/-1.27 (p<0.01). IVA-CPT demonstrated that the values of six indexes measured, including integrate reaction control quotient, integrate attention quotient, auditory and visual reaction control quotients, auditory and visual attention control quotients, were significantly increased after biofeedback therapy (p<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSEEG biofeedback can reduce the ratio of brain theta to beta waves and lead to significant decreases in inattention and hyperactivity and it is effective for treatment of ADHD in children.