Train The Brain: Using Neurofeedback To Treat ADHD : NPR.
The link above references an interesting piece on NPR about how neurofeedback can be used to treat ADD/ADHD:
Even though there are studies now showing that neurofeedback works for ADHD, all of these studies have serious limitations, researchers say. So the approach remains promising but unproved, says David Rabiner, a researcher at Duke University who writes a newsletter about treatments for ADHD...
A team at The Ohio State University has nearly completed a pilot study of neurofeedback for ADHD that was funded by the National Institute of Mental Health.
The team had hoped to announce results last week at a scientific meeting in New York, but Gene Arnold, one of the scientists in charge of the study, says they had to delay that announcement because "we weren't able to get the results analyzed in time," he says.
Learning Breakthrough and the vestibular-cerebellar training approach to ADHD remediation more generally have been considered by the research team at Ohio State University as well. Our interest in the topic stems from the substantial neurofeedback aspect to the Learning Breakthrough Program...as the repetitive nature of LBP's balance exercises themselves generate what the user in this article calls "constant feedback during a session" through constant motor control monitoring, planning, executive function modulation, and hemispheric integration all in one system. There is much hope that as this research progresses and the pilot study information is collated that LBP will be tested along side on neurofeedback techniques and a control group.
The blog post linked to below talks about Dr. Charles Parker, psychiatrist and ADHD expert. I have spoken with Dr. Parker on a couple of occasions and he was quite gracious in looking at our program. He was helpful, open minded and great to listen to as I was getting more involved in the science behind brain fitness topics. As will many psychiatrists with expansive minds and reading lists, he was never closed minded in his approach to LBP even though he never decided "take it on" or make it more central to his studies. I recall spending a great deal of time learning about SPEC imaging and other empirical methods based on reading from his blog and last year got to enjoy his presentation to the Virtual ADHD conference. Nice article and best wishes to Dr. Parker. Thanks to Moms With ADD/ADHD site for the posting.
ADHD Medication Rules: Paying Attention To The Meds For Paying Attention - Moms With ADD/ADHD.
I am asked regularly about my association with certain "alternative" approaches to learning disabilities. I was recently talking about vision therapy with a New York Times reporter who was asking me about skepticism observed in the medical profession regarding the topic. I told her I believe it is important to keep an open mind when it comes to alternative treatments. Most of these programs do not have the funds to undertake the multi-million dollar prospective studies that are needed to conclusively test these programs. Nonetheless, many of them, like Learning Breakthrough, have merit and have helped people a great deal.
I offer Learning Breakthrough in my offices as a powerful, approachable and inexpensive treatment that complements our other therapies wonderfully. I have found it valuable for clients with ADHD as well as dyslexia and other learning differences. It is not purely vision therapy, but rather an "integrative therapy" that makes use of several different brain systems. It is designed to get the brain working as an efficient, tight-knit system. Many of the clients who have completed the program have reported such improvements as a reduced or eliminated need for medication; better academic performance; increased organization skills; and heightened executive functioning. I hope you will read into the detailed background information posted on the Learning Breakthrough website to get a better feel for what I’m talking about.
With respect to vision therapy, I told the reporter I believe there is something to it. What the "something" is - is up for grabs, but we are learning more and more about how the vestibular system, visual system and auditory system can all be made to work better together and improve the treatment of attention deficit, dyslexia and other learning differences. My own son's reading problem was helped by his doing vision and vestibular exercises based on the same methods Learning Breakthrough uses which is how I came to gain an appreciation for this particular “alternative” treatment. This is not hocus-pocus. The fact that medication is the best researched intervention is due to the fact that the drug companies are the only groups with enough money to fund such expensive research. I referred the reporter, and I would refer you, to the work of Dr. Mel Kaplan, an optometrist in Tarrytown, NY who is, in my estimation, a genius and a true innovator in the field.
But note, developmental optometrists are not the only professionals that understand and apply Learning Breakthrough’s ideas. Occupational therapists, physical and speech therapists, audiologists, education specialists, and physicians have all seen client improvements along the lines of those that I’ve seen.
I tell my patients that I want to use whatever works, as long as it is safe and legal. If we wait for a New England Journal of Medicine article to report on the validation of every treatment, we'll be waiting a long time. To me, the integrative approach--making use of all the possible tools I have in the toolbox--is the best way to go.
All the best, Ned Hallowell
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MARRIED TO DISTRACTION
Announcing the publication of Dr. Hallowell's new book, Married to Distraction: Restoring Intimacy and Strengthening Your Marriage in an Age of Interruption. See a preview now! It hits the bookstores March 16, and is available to be ordered on Amazon and other online stores now.
Welcome. As we launch this blog and work to communicate with our program users and readers from many fields, we plan to do as much listening as talking. We will be elaborating on our mission and better defining what we call "The Belgau Hypothesis" and we are thrilled to have the input of blog readers regardless of their background.
LBP has had much anecdotal success for a couple of decades on the learning disabilities and cognitive efficiency fronts. The program continues to be used by therapists and doctors as an "alternative treatment" for challenges like auditory processing delay, dyslexia, attention deficit disorder, dyspraxia, memory, comprehension, executive function and as an academic improvement tool for users of all ages. However, it still needs the type of scientific validation that takes great time and resources to establish. If the web is good at anything...it is moving a clinically proven concept like LBP to a community supported, scientifically validated treatment model. We invite the assistance of all like-minded supporters as well as skeptics. We believe that Frank Belgau's work will only become more widely appreciated as time goes on.
Years of working with Frank and Beverley Belgau (and their son Eric as well as others close to the program) has generated a working hypothesis of cognitive organization (based on sensory integration treatment with a precise vestibular remediation component). We intend to see this become the basis for the future scientific study of LBP. Supporting and documenting the general efficacy of the program is of primary importance. However, sharing relevant and helpful information, concepts and the writings of others with all who are interested in strength-based, "alternative" interventions, is a close second. Watch this space, share your thoughts and help us spread the word in what ever way you can.
Thanks for reading and for not keeping Learning Breakthrough a secret.
