AUTHOR=Micoulaud-Franchi Jean-Arthur , Geoffroy Pierre Alexis , Fond Guillaume , Lopez Régis , Bioulac Stéphanie , Philip Pierre 

TITLE=EEG neurofeedback treatments in children with ADHD: an updated meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Human Neuroscience

VOLUME=Volume 8 - 2014

YEAR=2014

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/human-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2014.00906

DOI=10.3389/fnhum.2014.00906

ISSN=1662-5161

ABSTRACT=Objective 
We undertook a meta-analysis of published Randomized Controlled Trials (RCT) with semi-active control and sham-NF groups to determine whether EEG-NF significantly improves the overall symptoms, inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity dimensions for probably unblinded assessment (parent assessment) and probably blinded assessment (teacher assessment) in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Data Sources 
A systematic review identified independent studies that were eligible for inclusion in a random effects meta-analysis.
Data Extraction 
Effect sizes for ADHD symptoms were expressed as standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals.
Results
Five identified studies met eligibility criteria, 263 patients with ADHD were included, 146 patients were trained with EEG-NF. On parent assessment (probably unblinded assessment), the overall ADHD score (SMD=-0.49 [-0.74, -0.24]), the inattention score (SMD=-0.46 [-0.76, -0.15]) and the hyperactivity/impulsivity score (SMD=-0.34 [-0.59, -0.09]) were significantly improved in patients receiving EEG-NF compared to controls. On teacher assessment (probably blinded assessment), only the inattention score was significantly improved in patients receiving EEG-NF compared to controls (SMD=-0.30 [-0.58, -0.03]). 
Conclusions
This meta-analysis of EEG-NF in children with ADHD highlights improvement in the inattention dimension of ADHD symptoms. Future investigations should pay greater attention to adequately blinded studies and EEG-NF protocols that carefully control the implementation and embedding of training.