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This current report extends the initial findings of “Neurofeedback For Autistic Spectrum Disorders: Promising Results In A Small Sample” to a 1 year follow-up of the same participants with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Recall from the initial study that participants with ASD experienced statistically meaningful improvements in a variety of executive functioning, social, and behavioral [...]
The American Medical Association publishes free online documents (PDF) called the Physician Consortium for Performance Improvement that provide specific overviews of many common physical and mental health conditions, such as hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and adult diabetes. These “Clinical Performance Measures” include a nice summary of important information relevant to the specific disease, [...]
Nestoriuc, Rief, & Martin (2008)* conducted a meta-analysis of biofeedback applications for tension-type headache (TTH). A meta-analysis combines data from published studies that meet inclusion criteria to increase statistical power and the ability to detect a statistically meaningful treatment effect, often expressed as an “effect size.” The researchers provide an overview of TTH and report that episodic (versus chronic) TTH is the most prevalent type of headache in adults, adolescents, and children with a 1 year prevalence rate of 38%. The researchers further report that pharmacotherapy (anti-depressants and analgesics) is the most common form of treatment, but that medications are only moderately effective and can have significant side effects. Thus, behavioral interventions, including biofeedback, may represent a promising alternative or complimentary treatment if demonstrated to be effective.
Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are characterized by significant deficits in social skills, attention/concentration, and communication, as well as emotional, cognitive, and behavioral impairments. Examples include Autism, Asperger’s Disorder, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified. I am not aware of any treatment that can “cure” ASD. Current therapies focus on symptom reduction, behavioral and social skills training, and quality of life enhancements.
