An Evaluation of Neurofeedback Efficacy in Adults With ADHD

October 24, 2016 updated by: University of North Carolina, Wilmington

A Placebo-Control Evaluation of Neurofeedback Efficacy in Adults With ADHD

The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of neurofeedback training (NFB) on objective measurements of attention in young adults with ADHD. The secondary objectives are to evaluate neurofeedback effects on self-report measures of attention, ADHD symptoms, and to identify electroencephalogram (EEG) markers of ADHD and neurofeedback efficacy. The study is a double-blind, placebo controlled clinical trial to test the efficacy and safety of EEG neurofeedback in individuals 18-40 years of age with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Attention will be evaluated at baseline, after 12 and 24 training sessions (an average of 4 and 8 weeks, respectively), and 4 weeks after the last neurofeedback session. The primary outcome will be change from baseline on the Attention Performance Index (API) variable of the Test of Variables of Attention (TOVA) a standardized, well-normed, computerized test of attention, after 12 neurofeedback or sham training sessions (and average of 4 weeks). Secondary outcomes will be change from baseline on other TOVA variables after 12 and 24 sessions (an average of 4 and 8 weeks, respectively), at 4 weeks post-training follow-up, and changes from baseline at each time point on the Adult Self Report Scale (ASRS) and Mindful Awareness and Attention Scale (MAAS). EEG data collected during TOVA attention testing at baseline will be used to model EEG differences between ADHD and non-ADHD participants. Additional EEG data collected during the TOVA at midpoint (average of 4 weeks), after 24 NFB sessions (average of 8 weeks), and 4 weeks post-NFB will be used to develop statistical models to use as indicators of neurofeedback efficacy

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
30

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • United States
    • North Carolina
      • Wilmington, North Carolina, United States, 28403
        • Department of Psychology, UNC Wilmington

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

14 years to 36 years (Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Be between the ages of 18 and 40 years old.
  • ADHD participants must have a previous diagnosis of ADHD (inattentive or mixed type) by a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist.
  • ADHD participants must have scores on the Adult Self-Report Scale V1.1 (ASRS; (Kessler et al. 2005)) > 24.
  • ADHD participants must have TOVA API z score < 0.
  • Ability to understand study procedures and to comply with them for the entire length of the study.
  • Men and women of reproductive capability will be enrolled. Contraception is not necessary or required.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • A history of psychiatric disorder.
  • Scores in clinical ranges on the Beck Depression Inventory II (20 or above) or Beck Anxiety Inventory (16 or above).
  • A history of seizures.
  • Known neurological disorders.
  • Current drug or alcohol use or dependence that, in the opinion of the site investigator, would interfere with adherence to study requirements.
  • Inability or unwillingness of individual to give written informed consent.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Factorial Assignment
  • Masking: Triple

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Sham Comparator: Sham control
This group will receive 12 sham neurofeedback sessions in which the feedback is based on pre-recorded data.
Other: Sham Neurofeedback
Feedback generated by data not associated with the current participant.
Experimental: Neurofeedback
The intervention will be 24 sessions of beta/SMR neurofeedback.
Other: Neurofeedback
The intervention will be 24 sessions of beta/sensorimotor rhythm (SMR) neurofeedback.
Other Names:
  • EEG biofeedback

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Attention Performance Index of the Test of Variables of Attention
Time Frame: After 12 neurofeedback or sham sessions (an average of 4 weeks).
The primary outcome will be change from baseline on the Attention Performance Index (API) variable of the Test of Variables of Attention (TOVA) a standardized, well-normed, computerized test of attention, after 12 neurofeedback or sham training sessions (an average of 4 weeks).
After 12 neurofeedback or sham sessions (an average of 4 weeks).

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Test of Variables of Attention
Time Frame: after 12 (average 4 weeks) and 24 sessions (average 8 weeks) and 1 month followup
Secondary outcomes will be change from baseline on other TOVA variables after 12 and 24 sessions (4 and 8 weeks on average, respectively), at 4 weeks post-training follow-up
after 12 (average 4 weeks) and 24 sessions (average 8 weeks) and 1 month followup

Other Outcome Measures

Other Outcome Measures

For clinical trials, a planned measurement described in the protocol that is used to determine the effect of an intervention/treatment on participants. For observational studies, a measurement or observation that is used to describe patterns of diseases or traits, or associations with exposures, risk factors, or treatment. Types of outcome measures include primary outcome measure and secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Adult Self-Report Scale
Time Frame: after 12 and 24 sessions (average of 4 and 8 weeks, respectively), 1 month followup
A self report survey of ADHD symptoms.
after 12 and 24 sessions (average of 4 and 8 weeks, respectively), 1 month followup
Mindful Awareness and Attention Scale
Time Frame: after 12 and 24 sessions (average of 4 and 8 weeks, respectively) and 1 month followup
A self report scale that assesses mindful attention and awareness.
after 12 and 24 sessions (average of 4 and 8 weeks, respectively) and 1 month followup

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
University of North Carolina, Wilmington

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Julian R Keith, Ph.D, University of North Carolina, Wilmington

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
April 1, 2013

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
October 1, 2016

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
October 1, 2016

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
April 26, 2013

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
May 8, 2013

First Posted (Estimate)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
May 13, 2013

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
October 26, 2016

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
October 24, 2016

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
June 1, 2014

More Information

Terms related to this study

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • R15AT007226 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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