Changes in EEG Current Sources Induced by Neurofeedback in Learning Disabled Children. An Exploratory Study

Abstract

The objective of this work was to explore Neurofeedback (NFB) effects on EEG current sources in Learning Disabled (LD) children, and to corroborate its beneficial consequences on behavioral and cognitive performance. NFB was given in twenty 30-min sessions to 11 LD children to reduce their abnormally high theta/alpha ratios (Experimental Group). Another five LD children with the same characteristics received a placebo treatment (Control Group). In the Control Group no changes in behavior or EEG current source were observed. In the Experimental Group, immediately after treatment children showed behavioral and cognitive improvements, but current source analysis showed few modifications; however, 2 months after treatment many changes occurred: a decrease in current of frequencies within the theta band, mainly in left frontal and cingulate regions, and enhancement in current of frequencies within the alpha band, principally in the right temporal lobe and right frontal regions, and of frequencies within the beta band, mainly in left temporal, right frontal and cingulate cortex regions. In conclusion, NFB is a possibly efficacious treatment for LD children with an abnormally high theta/alpha ratio in any lead. The changes observed in EEG current sources may reflect the neurophysiological bases of the improvement that children experienced in their behavioral and cognitive activities.

What is Neurofeedback: An Update

“…An additional report by Fernandez (Fernandez et al, 2007) on 16 children with learning disabilities documented significant EEG changes 2 months after neurofeedback compared to a placebo-control group where there were no EEG changes, and 10 of 11 children in the neurofeedback treatment group showed objective changes in academic performance compared with one in five children in the placebo group. Other articles have also been published on the value of neurofeedback with learning disabilities (Orlando & Rivera, 2004;Tansey, 1991a;Thornton & Carmody, 2005).…”

Effects of Neurofeedback Training on Attention in Children with Intellectual Disability

“…F. Lubar, Swartwood, Swartwood, & Timmermann, 1995). Brain imaging studies of children with ADHD or LD showed meaningful relations between the behavioral symptoms of these disorders and neurophysiological factors (Castellanos, 1997;Fernandez et al, 2007;Filipek, 1999). Moreover, recent studies of the relationship between electroencephalography (EEG) and ADHD have supported the NFB training protocols (Arns, Gunkelman, Breteler, & Spronk, 2008;Monastra, Lubar, & Linden, 2001).…”

The Use of EEG Biofeedback For Treating Specific Learning Difficulties in Children of Middle School Age

“…První studii zjišťující efektivitu metody na děti s poruchami učení publikovali Fernández et al (2003), kontrolované studie provedli Becerra et al (2006) a Fernández et al (2007. Děti absolvovaly terapie na EEG biofeedbacku v rozmezí 20-35 sezení.…”

“…Co se týče výsledků ohledně změn v mozkových vlnách, bylo by vhodné zahrnout do pretestu a posttestu neurologické vyšetření pomocí kvantitativního EEG, jak je tomu zvykem v rozsáhlejších studiích ověřujících efektivitu EEG biofeedbacku (např. Fernández et al, 2007;Orlando & Rivera, 2004). Bylo by pak možné ověřit statistickou významnost těchto změn.…”