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The Effect of Neurofeedback in Clinical Populations (ASD and ADHD): A Meta-Analysis
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The Effect of Neurofeedback in Clinical Populations (ASD and ADHD): A Meta-Analysis

Dylan Matthew Goode and Michelle Curran
Abstracts of the 28th International Congress of Applied Psychology
International Congress of Applied Psychology (ICAP): From crisis to sustainable well-being, 28th (Paris, France, 08-Jul-2014–13-Jul-2014)
2014
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Abstract

Psychology attention deficit hyperactivity disorder Autism Spectrum Disorder intervention meta-analysis neuro feedback
Globally currently one in five children are reported to suffer from a mental disorder (Perou et al., 2013). In DSM-5 Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are both subsumed under the umbrella of Neurodevelopmental Disorders. The difficult and overwhelming process of deciding which of the range of interventions available is best suited to the individual is left in the hands of the often uninformed caregiver (Valentine, 2010). ASD and ADHD have been shown to have the highest level of comorbidity of all neurodevelopmental disorders. There is currently no conclusive summary of the differences between treatments for these two related disorders (i.e., disorders that predominantly involve executive function deficits). The aim of the current study was to examine the literature pertaining to neurofeedback as an intervention for ASD and ADHD through a meta-analytic review from 1978 to 2013. A systematic trawl of the literature was conducted that included 17 databases; manual searches of 14 journals; resulting in 79 articles for detailed review. Twenty-seven studies met the inclusion criteria, yielding 70 effects from 1,954 participants. The meta-analysis adopted a random-effects model, revealing analyses finding significant benefits of Neurofeedback in both ASD and ADHD populations. Moderating variables were analysed to reveal that there were no significant differences in the areas of: (a) outcome measures; and (b) type of measurement. However, (a) medication status (ASD: QB (1) = 10.63, p =.001; ADHD: QB (1) = 4.308, p =.038), (b) impact factor (ASD: QB (1) = 10.63, p =.001), and (c) origin of sample (ASD: QB (1) = 10.63, p =.001) were found to be significant moderators of the effect of neurofeedback. Neurofeedback demonstrated significant positive outcomes in the area of attention, problem behaviours and symptoms, executive function and communication. Results support the use of neurofeedback in both ASD and ADHD populations as a functional therapeutic intervention.

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