An Effective Neurofeedback Intervention to Improve Social Interactions in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

J Autism Dev Disord. 2015 Dec;45(12):4084-100. doi: 10.1007/s10803-015-2523-5.

Abstract

Neurofeedback training (NFT) approaches were investigated to improve behavior, cognition and emotion regulation in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Thirteen children with ASD completed pre-/post-assessments and 16 NFT-sessions. The NFT was based on a game that encouraged social interactions and provided feedback based on imitation and emotional responsiveness. Bidirectional training of EEG mu suppression and enhancement (8-12 Hz over somatosensory cortex) was compared to the standard method of enhancing mu. Children learned to control mu rhythm with both methods and showed improvements in (1) electrophysiology: increased mu suppression, (2) emotional responsiveness: improved emotion recognition and spontaneous imitation, and (3) behavior: significantly better behavior in every-day life. Thus, these NFT paradigms improve aspects of behavior necessary for successful social interactions.

Keywords: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD); EEG; Mu rhythm; Neurofeedback training (NFT).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Achievement
  • Adolescent
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder / diagnosis*
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder / physiopathology
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder / therapy*
  • Child
  • Cognition
  • Electroencephalography / methods
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations*
  • Male
  • Neurofeedback / methods*
  • Photic Stimulation / methods
  • Treatment Outcome