Effects of a Novel Neurofeedback Protocol on ADHD Subcomponents

NCT ID: NCT04408521

Last Updated: 2023-11-29

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

5 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2020-11-02

Study Completion Date

2026-04-30

Brief Summary

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Mounting evidence suggests that closed-loop brain-training, commonly known as neurofeedback (NFB), may represent a new therapeutic opportunity for patients with Attentional Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), which manifests as difficulties with attention and inhibitory control. In this context, the investigators have focused on an attention-enhancing form of NFB based on the EEG alpha rhythm, known to influence sensory detection and attention. In light of recent evidence showing that both attention and impulsivity can be modified with a single-session of alpha-NFB, the objective is to determine whether these effects stabilize in the long-term, after multiple, daily sessions of training at home.

A short- (single-session) and a long-term (multi-session) experimental design will be used to collect EEG, behavioral, and clinical data pre-to-post NFB. The single-blind study will recruit 48 adult ADHD participants randomly assigned to either NEUROFEEDBACK or CONTROL groups. Each participant will undergo individual at home sessions of 45-minute video-replay of popular television (TV) series while recording their 1-channel EEG (30 sessions, 5 sessions/week, 6 weeks total). In the NEUROFEEDBACK group, self-regulation of alpha rhythm will be reflected in the dynamically varying opacity of the video-replay window, i.e. the window would turn lighter/darker and reveal/obscure video content during episodes of low/high alpha amplitude, respectively. In the CONTROL group, the recording will be passive without real-time EEG neurofeedback (i.e. constant brightness and volume). Before and after at home training, each participant will have two visits in the lab: (1) complete clinical and neuropsychological evaluation and (2) EEG session including resting state and task-related EEG before and after a short NFB intervention (30 minutes). For the CONTROL group participants, the latter will be replaced by a sham intervention utilizing non-contingent feedback.

Given that stronger alpha rhythmicity is associated with increases in inhibitory/excitatory balance, it is expected that alpha-NFB (i) will homeostatically normalize alpha rhythm power and (ii) the degree of normalization will be a dimensional predictor of individual improvement in behavioral and clinical measures of executive function, impulsivity and inattention. These results should lay the foundation for building neurocognitive treatments, by harnessing neuroplasticity mechanisms intrinsic to the brain.

Detailed Description

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Conditions

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Attention Deficit Disorder With Hyperactivity

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

DOUBLE

Participants Outcome Assessors

Study Groups

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NEUROFEEDBACK

Participants undergo individual at home sessions of 45-minute video-replay of popular TV series while recording their 1-channel EEG using a portable system. Self-regulation of alpha rhythm is reflected in the dynamically varying opacity of the video replay window, i.e. the window would turn lighter/darker and reveal/obscure video content during episodes of low/high alpha amplitude, respectively.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

NEUROFEEDBACK

Intervention Type OTHER

EEG recording during alpha-related TV viewing

CONTROL

Participants undergo individual at home sessions of 45-minute video-replay of popular TV series while recording their 1-channel EEG using a portable system. The recording is passive without real-time EEG neurofeedback (i.e. constant brightness and volume).

Group Type PLACEBO_COMPARATOR

CONTROL

Intervention Type OTHER

EEG recording during passive TV viewing

Interventions

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NEUROFEEDBACK

EEG recording during alpha-related TV viewing

Intervention Type OTHER

CONTROL

EEG recording during passive TV viewing

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Clinical diagnosis of ADHD
* Currently stabilized (euthymic)
* General good health
* Normal or corrected-to normal visual acuity

Exclusion Criteria

* Mood Disorders
* PTSD
* Borderline Personality Disorder
* Substance Use Disorder
* Structural Brain Abnormalities
* Cerebrovascular Disease
* Epilepsy
* Stroke
* Head Trauma
* Cardiovascular Disease
* Renal Failure
* Hepatic Dysfunction
* Impaired visual acuity
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

50 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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University of Geneva, Switzerland

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

University Hospital, Geneva

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Nader Perroud

MD, Associate Professor

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Alexandre Dayer, MD, PhD

Role: STUDY_DIRECTOR

University of Geneva & University Hospitals of Geneva

Locations

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University Hospitals of Geneva

Geneva, , Switzerland

Site Status

Countries

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Switzerland

References

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Arns M, de Ridder S, Strehl U, Breteler M, Coenen A. Efficacy of neurofeedback treatment in ADHD: the effects on inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity: a meta-analysis. Clin EEG Neurosci. 2009 Jul;40(3):180-9. doi: 10.1177/155005940904000311.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 19715181 (View on PubMed)

Ergenoglu T, Demiralp T, Bayraktaroglu Z, Ergen M, Beydagi H, Uresin Y. Alpha rhythm of the EEG modulates visual detection performance in humans. Brain Res Cogn Brain Res. 2004 Aug;20(3):376-83. doi: 10.1016/j.cogbrainres.2004.03.009.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 15268915 (View on PubMed)

Macdonald JS, Mathan S, Yeung N. Trial-by-Trial Variations in Subjective Attentional State are Reflected in Ongoing Prestimulus EEG Alpha Oscillations. Front Psychol. 2011 May 10;2:82. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2011.00082. eCollection 2011.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 21687452 (View on PubMed)

Micoulaud-Franchi JA, Geoffroy PA, Fond G, Lopez R, Bioulac S, Philip P. EEG neurofeedback treatments in children with ADHD: an updated meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Front Hum Neurosci. 2014 Nov 13;8:906. doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2014.00906. eCollection 2014.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 25431555 (View on PubMed)

Heidbreder R. ADHD symptomatology is best conceptualized as a spectrum: a dimensional versus unitary approach to diagnosis. Atten Defic Hyperact Disord. 2015 Dec;7(4):249-69. doi: 10.1007/s12402-015-0171-4. Epub 2015 May 10.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 25957598 (View on PubMed)

Deiber MP, Hasler R, Colin J, Dayer A, Aubry JM, Baggio S, Perroud N, Ros T. Linking alpha oscillations, attention and inhibitory control in adult ADHD with EEG neurofeedback. Neuroimage Clin. 2020;25:102145. doi: 10.1016/j.nicl.2019.102145. Epub 2019 Dec 24.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 31911342 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

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SNCTP000002260

Identifier Type: REGISTRY

Identifier Source: secondary_id

2017-01029

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id