Effect of Neurofeedback on Perceptual Organization, Visual and Auditory Memory in Children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

OBJECTIVES

Neurofeedback is a noninvasive treatment that changes brain activity in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and thereby improves performance in these children. We examined the effect of neurofeedback on perceptual organization, visual and auditory memory in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

MATERIALS & METHODS: This study was quasi-experimental with pre-test, post-test design, and control group. The sample included 20 children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder were selected through convenience sampling in Khorramabad, central Iran in 2017. The sample was divided into control and experimental groups. Pre-test included Rey-Osterrieth complex figure and Wechsler digit span. Rey-Osterrieth complex figure test was used to measure perceptual organization and visual memory. Wechsler digit span was used to measure auditory memory. After conducting pre-test, the experimental group participated in neurofeedback training sessions. Theta/Beta protocol was applied for all participants. The control group did not receive any intervention. Then post-test was conducted on two groups.

RESULTS

Neurofeedback training significantly improved visual memory (<0.001) but neurofeedback training had no significant effect on the perceptual organization (>0.05). Moreover, neurofeedback training enhanced auditory short-term memory and auditory working memory (<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Neurofeedback improved neurocognitive abilities in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.