New Computer-Based Technology to Treat Attention Deficit Disorders
Background
It is estimated that over 5% of all children in North America are
experiencing at least one form of attention deficit disorder.
Both ADD and ADHD are characterized by one or more of the
following: inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Learning
disabilities are characterized by one or more difficulties
associated with attention, reading, writing, oral language,
reasoning, memorizing, and problem solving. Further difficulties
may include compromised organizational skills and social
interaction.
The question of whether or not attention deficit disorders can be
remedied has received significant attention from many
researchers. Treating children and adolescents with stimulants
(for instance Ritalin), has proven to be helpful but is limited
by side effects and tolerance. The introduction of Neurofeedback
(also known as EEG Biofeedback), has offered new hope for parents
wanting to help resolve the attention related problems of their
children without the use of medication. Neurofeedback research
has shown that training brain wave patterns can remedy cognitive
impairment associated with attention deficit related to ADD,
ADHD, LD.
Brain wave activity and Attentional Shifting
The brain produces different frequencies for different levels of
attention. They include the following:
Delta – sleep state
Theta – between sleep and awake, also a meditative state
Alpha – relaxed state
Beta1 – focused concentration
Beta2 – alert state
Beta3 – very alert, vigilant
Beta4 – Hyper vigilant
The ability to produce the right states, especially those
associated with focus and attention is paramount to be able to
perform a variety of cognitive tasks such as listening, learning
and processing information, in general. In addition, the ability
to shift from one state to another when required, offers
tremendous mental flexibility, which results in enhanced mental
performance in every area of life.
The Use of Neurofeedback in Treating Attentional Difficulties
Neurofeedback, which is a form of biofeedback, has been used for
over 20 years to treat concentration related difficulties
associated with ADD/ADHD and LD. In general, Neurofeedback is a
modality which uses an EEG recording system along with training
software to enhance brain wave activity that is instrumental for
improving concentration.
The premise behind Neurofeedback is related to earlier findings
which established that individuals with poor concentration lack
sufficient levels of Beta1 (This band is also called SMR - short
for sensory motor rhythms) brain waves to sustain attention. The
findings also showed that individuals with attention deficits
exhibit excessive amounts of slow brain wave activity, especially
Theta waves. Joel Lubar, a pioneer in this field, demonstrated
that treatment modalities focusing on enhancing the Beta1/Theta
ratio have been very effective in treating children with
attention deficits and learning disabilities, which usually
resulted in improved school performance and better behavior
control. During Neurofeedback sessions, the person wishing to
enhance concentration and improve attention and focus, uses
feedback coming through an EEG machine to enhance Beta1 and
decrease Theta. After a certain amount of training, typically
between 40 and 60 sessions, the individual is able to produce
more Beta1 at will. Lubar also proved that all children
experiencing any form of learning disabilities demonstrated low
amounts of Beta1 waves and that many of the symptoms diminished
after a process of brain wave training.
Neurofeedback treatment can also result in significant
improvement of intellectual functioning, as measured by increases
in IQ scores (Linden, Habib & Radojevic, 1996). Such improvement
is most likely the result of the treatment's positive impact on
the person's ability to concentrate. More recently, Monastra
(2002) found that Neurofeedback has proven to be successful in
long term improvement of ADD/ADHD symptoms. In this study, 100
children, aged six to nineteen years, diagnosed with ADD/ADHD
were monitored for one year. All children received parental
counseling, academic support, and Ritalin. Half of the children
also received Neurofeedback training. After 12 months, all
children showed improvement in their attention. However, children
who stopped taking Ritalin and did not train with Neurofeedback,
lost the gains they had achieved, whereas those who also received
brain wave training kept their gains even after they stopped
using Ritalin.
Computer Assisted Programs
The use of computer-assisted programs in the treatment of
cognitive deficits is not new.
Previous studies have shown the benefits of such cognitive
training for treating attention deficits and learning
disabilities. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Consensus
Development Conference Statement confirmed that "Computer-
assisted strategies have been used to improve specific neuro-
psychological processes, predominantly attention, memory, and
executive skills. Both randomized controlled studies and case
reports have documented the success of these interventions using
intermediate outcome measures."
New Generation Software
Lately, a new generation of programs makes it much easier and
faster to treat attention deficits. The most notable innovation
related to these programs is that they can provide effective
training without clinical supervision. One such program:
SharperBrain has gain substantial recognition in the area of
improving cognitive performance for individuals with cognitive
deficits. This is a language independent program, which makes it
easier for the brain to generalize the results. SharperBrain
directly trains the brain to enhance all levels of attention in
addition to a long list of cognitive skills. SharperBrain was
developed based on research done with EEG based technology. The
goal was to develop a program that can avoid the costly aspect of
EEG instrumentation and to make it easy to use and more
economical.
The program works in two ways. First, improve brain wave activity
by enhancing the following three attentional levels:
1. Calm: Allows the mind to relax and get ready for different
mental tasks. It is also a state important for contemplation and
planning. In terms of brain activity, this is equivalent to
Alpha state.
2. Focused: Allows paying attention to a specific task, while
offsetting distractions. This is equivalent to Beta1 state.
3. Alert: Allows fast response when the need to react quickly is
required. This is equivalent to Beta2 state.
In addition, SharperBrain trains the brain to develop a variety
of cognitive abilities such as divided attention, multitasking,
speed of processing, working memory, visual/auditory processing
and coordination as well as higher executive skills such as
decision making, organizing and prioritizing. It also trains the
brain to offset distractions. Such skills are not part of the
traditional Neurofeedback protocols. Another advantage of such
program is that unlike Neurofeedback, which can be only
administered by a clinician, it can be practiced at home after a
very brief training. In addition, it does not require specialized
equipment such as EEG, making it a very cost effective
alternative.
With the latest research and news about side effects of attention
deficit-related medication, the interest in this innovative
technology has significantly risen in the past year and is
expected to continue to draw individuals interested in utilizing
a drug free approach to attention deficit disorders. Dr. Frank H.
Duffy a Professor and Pediatric Neurologist at Harvard Medical
School and an Associate Editor for Neurology, Clinical EEG
Journal noted recently the following:
"In my opinion, if any medication had demonstrated such a wide
spectrum of efficacy it would be universally accepted and widely
used. It is a field to be taken seriously by all."
A lot has been written on the connection between nutrition and
ADHD. The fact remains that ADHD is a neurological deficiency.
Proper nutrition and supplementation may be helpful in better
controlling this and many other health related problems, but it
cannot fix the neurological aspect of the problem. Supplements
and herbal remedies can have some calming effect on hyperactive
kids, but they cannot teach a child with attention deficit
disorder how to neutralized distractions around them and how to
consistently pay full attention to the teacher while learning
material that is not so exciting for the student.
With the new technology, Sharper Brain is offering children and
adults an effective option to be able to make the necessary
neurological changes so that they can, perhaps for the first time
in their lives, focus and concentrate when they need it and for
as long as it's needed.
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