| Title | Double-Blind, Sham-Controlled Randomized Trial Testing the Efficacy of fMRI Neurofeedback on Clinical and Cognitive Measures in Children With ADHD |
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| Type | Journal article |
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| Authors | Lam, Sheut-Ling, Criaud, Marion, Lukito, Steve, Westwood, Samuel J., Agbedjro, Deborah, Kowalczyk, Olivia S., Curran, Sarah, Barret, Nadia, Abbott, Chris, Liang, Holan, Simonoff, Emily, Barker, Gareth J., Giampietro, Vincent and Rubia, Katya |
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| Abstract | Objective: Functional MRI neurofeedback (fMRI-NF) could potentially be a novel, safe nonpharmacological treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A proof-of-concept randomized controlled trial of fMRI-NF of the right inferior frontal cortex (rIFC), compared to an active control condition, showed promising improvement of ADHD symptoms (albeit in both groups) and in brain function. However, comparison with a placebo condition in a larger trial is required to test efficacy.
Methods: This double-blind, sham-controlled randomized controlled trial tested the effectiveness and efficacy of fMRI-NF of the rIFC on symptoms and executive functions in 88 boys with ADHD (44 each in the active and sham arms). To investigate treatment-related changes, groups were compared at the posttreatment and 6-month follow-up assessments, controlling for baseline scores, age, and medication status. The primary outcome measure was posttreatment score on the ADHD Rating Scale (ADHD-RS).
Results: No significant group differences were found on the ADHD-RS. Both groups showed similar decreases in other clinical and cognitive measures, except for a significantly greater decrease in irritability and improvement in motor inhibition in sham relative to active fMRI-NF at the posttreatment assessment, covarying for baseline. There were no significant side effects or adverse events. The active relative to the sham fMRI-NF group showed enhanced activation in rIFC and other frontal and temporo-occipital-cerebellar self-regulation areas. However, there was no progressive rIFC upregulation, correlation with ADHD-RS scores, or transfer of learning.
Conclusions: Contrary to the hypothesis, the study findings do not suggest that fMRI-NF of the rIFC is effective in improving clinical symptoms or cognition in boys with ADHD. |
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| Keywords | Psychiatry and Mental health |
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| Journal | American Journal of Psychiatry |
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| Journal citation | 179 (12), pp. 947-958 |
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| ISSN | 0002-953X |
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| 1535-7228 |
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| Year | 2022 |
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| Publisher | American Psychiatric Association Publishing |
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| Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.21100999 |
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| Publication dates |
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| Published online | 09 Nov 2022 |
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| Published in print | 01 Dec 2022 |
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