A Brain-Computer Interface Based Attention Training Program for Treating Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder |
| |
Authors: | Choon Guan Lim Tih Shih Lee Cuntai Guan Daniel Shuen Sheng Fung Yudong Zhao Stephanie Sze Wei Teng Haihong Zhang K. Ranga Rama Krishnan |
| |
Affiliation: | 1. Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore, Singapore.; 2. Duke-National University Singapore Graduate Medical School, Singapore, Singapore.; 3. Institute for Infocomm Research, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, Singapore.; 4. Singapore Clinical Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore.; Hangzhou Normal University, China, |
| |
Abstract: | Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms can be difficult to treat. We previously reported that a 20-session brain-computer interface (BCI) attention training programme improved ADHD symptoms. Here, we investigated a new more intensive BCI-based attention training game system on 20 unmedicated ADHD children (16 males, 4 females) with significant inattentive symptoms (combined and inattentive ADHD subtypes). This new system monitored attention through a head band with dry EEG sensors, which was used to drive a feed forward game. The system was calibrated for each user by measuring the EEG parameters during a Stroop task. Treatment consisted of an 8-week training comprising 24 sessions followed by 3 once-monthly booster training sessions. Following intervention, both parent-rated inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms on the ADHD Rating Scale showed significant improvement. At week 8, the mean improvement was −4.6 (5.9) and −4.7 (5.6) respectively for inattentive symptoms and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms (both p<0.01). Cohen’s d effect size for inattentive symptoms was large at 0.78 at week 8 and 0.84 at week 24 (post-boosters). Further analysis showed that the change in the EEG based BCI ADHD severity measure correlated with the change ADHD Rating Scale scores. The BCI-based attention training game system is a potential new treatment for ADHD.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov {"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT01344044","term_id":"NCT01344044"}}NCT01344044 |
| |
Keywords: | |
|
|