The efficacy of neurofeedback for the treatment of autism spectrum disorders: A systematic review

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are characterized by impairments incommunication and interaction skills, stereotyped patterns of behavior and restricted interests. They show anomalous electroencephalographic (EEG) patterns that might explain  those impairments. Neurofeedback is considered to be a therapeutic alternative for their normalization. The objective was to review the evidence on the efficacy of neurofeedback as a treatment for ASDs. We conducted a systematic review of 17 empirical studies localized thru an exhaustive bibliographic search of the databases PsycInfo, PsycArticles and Pubmed. The results indicate certain efficacy of neurofeedback in the treatment of abnormal EEG patterns and core ASD symptoms, as well as others such as impairments in attention and cognitive functions, anxiety or behavioral disorders. Neurofeedback may be considered a treatment “with modest experimental support” or “probably efficacious” with “controversial support”, though more methodologically rigorous studies are needed to determine its therapeutic efficacy with more certainty.