Neurofeedback treatment in autism. Preliminary findings in behavioral, cognitive, and neurophysiological functioning

Abstract

Effects of neurofeedback treatment were investigated in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Sixty percent of the participants in the treatment group successfully reduced excessive theta power during neurofeedback treatment. Reduction of theta power was confirmed by pre- and post-QEEG measures. Parents of participants in the neurofeedback treatment group reported significant improvements in reciprocal social interactions and communication skills, relative to the parents of the control group. Set-shifting skills improved following neurofeedback treatment relative to the control group. The reduction of theta power is assumed to reflect modulation of activity in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), which is known to be involved in social and executive dysfunctions in autism.