Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: Alternative treatments

While prescription medications and standard behavioural treatments have been shown to be effective in treating ADHD symptoms, many people wonder about non-conventional or alternative treatments.

These include dietary interventions, interactive metronome training, chiropractic medicine, neurofeedback, and others.

Which dietary interventions are used to treat ADHD?

Over the past few decades, there has been much controversy about sugar and ADHD symptoms such as hyperactivity. Research does show that refined (processed) sugars and carbohydrates can have an effect on a child’s activity level. Because these sugars quickly enter the bloodstream, they can produce a rapid increase in blood glucose levels. When blood sugar peaks, a child may become more active due to an adrenaline rush produced by the rise in blood glucose. Often a decrease in activity level is noted as adrenaline levels fall.

There is no proof that a diet high in sugar actually causes ADHD. However, nutritionists suggest adding more fibre to a child’s diet to help manage and stabilise adrenaline levels. High-fibre foods include berries and other fruits, whole grains and oatmeal.

What about the Feingold Diet and ADHD symptoms?

Years ago, Dr Ben Feingold, created a popular elimination diet designed to treat hyperactivity. The Feingold Diet proposed the elimination of artificial colourings, flavourings and preservatives. While most scientific studies have disproved Feingold’s theory, some parents who have tried it have reported an improvement in their child’s behaviour.

With elimination diets, parents omit certain foods from their child’s diet if they believe those foods affect the child’s behaviour negatively. However, some experts theorise that any behavioural changes noted may be because of the way parents interact with the child while on the special diet. In other words, the child’s behaviour improves because of the parents’ behavioural changes, not the diet.

If you decide to try an elimination diet for ADHD, be careful to not be too restrictive in order to avoid nutritional deficiencies. In addition, always consult your child’s doctor before trying any ADHD treatment. Registered dieticians and doctors can help devise a healthy eating plan.

What about behavioural interventions for kids with ADHD?

Recent research has shown the benefits of behavioural interventions for children before they go to school. As an example, two types of intervention programmes, each lasting a year, were assigned to parents of pre-schoolers diagnosed with ADHD.

One programme consisted of parent-education classes focusing on parenting skills, child safety and understanding the child’s behaviour. Individual sessions were also performed at home and school. The other group only received a parenting-skills class in a group setting.

Researchers determined a decrease in ADHD symptoms in both groups, with no significant difference in rate between the two.

What is interactive metronome training?

Interactive metronome training involves listening to a computerised rhythmic beat that the person then tries to mimic with hand or foot tapping. The person using interactive metronome training is provided with feedback that indicates how well they match the beat of the metronome.