Scrutinizing the effectiveness of Neurofeedback for treatment of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that its treatment has been challenged for parents and developmental disabilities professionals. In recent years, neurofeedback is one of the interventions utilized to treat ADHD. The effectiveness of this kind of treatment has been controverted. The aim of current study was to identify the nature, characteristics and research evidence about the efficacy of neurofeedback in ADHD. In the same vein, from web of data-based information (Pupmed, Springer, ProQuest, Scopus, and Elsevier) and by using keywords including ADHD, Neurofeedback, QEEG-Informed Neurofeedback, efficacy of neurofeedback treatment in ADHD, ADHD and meta-analysis, effect size in neurofeedback treatment in ADHD, EEG and email communication with professional psychologist or psychiatrist, as well, data were gathered and systemically reviewed. Despite reporting more Iranian researches indicating effectiveness of neurofeedback in ADHD treatment, some research evidences including methodological issues, and some characteristics such as the life-span problem, comorbidity, and recent evidence-based practice, impeach the significance of neurofeedback efficacy and the related data. This method is struggling because the neurofeedback is introduced as only an interventionist method, not a miraculous approach, and bring ethical challenges for the researchers. This study stresses on more methodologically accurate investigations on neurofeedback and ADHD.