Effectiveness of Neurofeedback in Improving Attention and Reducing Anxiety in Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

The present study aimed to examine the effectiveness of neurofeedback in improving attention and reducing anxiety in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The statistical population included all children aged ۷–۱۲ years with ADHD who were referred to counseling centers and specialized clinics in Tehran in ۲۰۲۴. Sampling was conducted using a convenience method, and the final sample consisted of ۳۰ children who met the predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The research design was quasi-experimental with a pre-test–post-test and control group. Measurement tools included the ADHD symptom questionnaire, the Spence Children’s Anxiety Scale (SCAS), and the Continuous Performance Test (CPT). The experimental group received eight neurofeedback sessions based on the standard protocol of increasing SMR and decreasing the theta/beta ratio, while the control group received no intervention. Data analysis was conducted using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and comparative tests. Results indicated that neurofeedback significantly increased sustained attention and reduced anxiety in the experimental group compared to the control group. Based on these findings, neurofeedback is a safe and effective intervention for improving cognitive and emotional symptoms in children with ADHD. Therefore, it is recommended as a complementary approach alongside other therapeutic interventions, and further research is needed to examine long-term effects and optimize protocols.

Keywords:

Neurofeedback , Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder , Sustained Attention , Child Anxiety