Oliveira Jessica, Pellow Janice, Tsele-Tebakang Tebogo, Solomon Elizabeth M
Department of Complementary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Health SA. 2022 Jul 28;27:1874. doi: 10.4102/hsag.v27i0.1874. eCollection 2022.
Neurofeedback is a neurostimulatory biofeedback behavioural therapy that regulates brain wave levels for optimal cognitive functioning. It has shown promising results for the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
To explore and describe the experiences of neurofeedback therapists (NTs) using neurofeedback to treat children and adults with ADHD and their experience of its role and value in treating this condition.
Interviews were conducted in participants' private consultation rooms in Gauteng, South Africa.
In this qualitative study using a descriptive phenomenological approach, six registered NTs with experience of treating ADHD were interviewed. Participants were asked: 'Tell me about your experiences of neurofeedback with ADHD patients in your practice.' Responses were audio-recorded, transcribed and underwent thematic analysis.
Participants experienced neurofeedback as an effective treatment for ADHD and other coexisting conditions, such as anxiety and insomnia. Participants felt that the neurofeedback process facilitates a beneficial therapeutic relationship and integrates well with other treatment methods. Challenges faced in practice included certain underlying comorbidities, home environment, poor patient compliance and NTs' level of expertise, which impact treatment outcomes.
Neurofeedback therapists expressed an overall positive perception of the value of neurofeedback to reduce ADHD symptom severity and improve quality of life, particularly when used as part of a multimodal approach. Participants identified a need for further education and awareness regarding the use of neurofeedback for ADHD.
This study has contributed to our understanding of the role of neurofeedback in treating ADHD in the South African setting.
神经反馈是一种神经刺激生物反馈行为疗法，可调节脑电波水平以实现最佳认知功能。它在治疗注意力缺陷多动障碍（ADHD）方面已显示出有前景的结果。
探讨并描述神经反馈治疗师（NTs）使用神经反馈治疗患有ADHD的儿童和成人的经历，以及他们对其在治疗该疾病中的作用和价值的体验。
在南非豪登省参与者的私人咨询室进行访谈。
在这项采用描述性现象学方法的定性研究中，对六位有治疗ADHD经验的注册NTs进行了访谈。向参与者提问：“告诉我你在实践中对ADHD患者进行神经反馈治疗的经历。”回答被录音、转录并进行了主题分析。
参与者认为神经反馈是治疗ADHD及其他并存病症（如焦虑和失眠）的有效方法。参与者觉得神经反馈过程有助于建立有益的治疗关系，并且能很好地与其他治疗方法相结合。实践中面临的挑战包括某些潜在的合并症、家庭环境、患者依从性差以及NTs的专业水平，这些都会影响治疗结果。
神经反馈治疗师对神经反馈在减轻ADHD症状严重程度和改善生活质量方面的价值总体持积极看法，特别是当作为多模式方法的一部分使用时。参与者指出需要进一步开展关于将神经反馈用于ADHD治疗的教育和提高认识。
本研究有助于我们理解神经反馈在南非治疗ADHD中的作用。
