Introduction

This information is for people who have a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It tells you about complementary and alternative treatments for ADHD.

Do they work?

Many complementary and alternative treatments are used to help children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). But there is little good-quality research on any of them.^[131][134] We need much more research to say whether these treatments can help improve symptoms. Also, these treatments can be expensive and take up a lot of time.

What are they?

Two of the more common alternative treatments for ADHD are biofeedback and visual exercises.

Biofeedback works on the principle that you can learn to control behaviour by getting better at recognising your body's signals. There are two types of biofeedback used for ADHD.

• Electromyogram biofeedback (EMG biofeedback) encourages children to relax by helping them to recognise when their muscles tense.^[135] A machine called an electromyograph is used to measure the tension in their muscles.

• Electroencephalogram biofeedback (EEG biofeedback) helps children recognise 'good' brainwaves that allow them to concentrate.^[131] A machine called an electroencephalograph records your child's brainwaves as a pattern of waves and spikes across a screen. The pattern changes when your child is alert, daydreaming or sleepy. A computer converts this pattern of waves into sounds or pictures. Your child knows from the sounds or pictures whether he or she is producing 'good' brainwaves. Your child can then learn how to keep these 'good' brain waves going for longer.^[131]

A variety of visual exercises are used to treat children with ADHD. Some exercises are meant to help children pay attention by improving how their eyes focus. Other exercises involve wearing coloured lenses. Visual exercises can vary a great deal because experts have not agreed which ones work best.^[131]

Citations