If you’re a parent who has kids battling ADHD, anxiety, OCD, and other dysregulation disorders, you understand how heartbreaking it is to watch your child struggle everyday. You know their meltdowns, and inability to focus, sit tight, and make friends are just effects of their mental health issues, and it’s easy to feel helpless and unsupported.
You’ve probably heard of neurofeedback before and how it is a safe, effective, and lasting solution for dysregulated brains. But does it really work? Has it been tested rigorously before?
While it may sound high-tech, neurofeedback is actually a brain training method that has been helping kids and adults for decades. It isn’t only for those who have mental health challenges, but also for those who wish to improve their overall mental well-being.
This History of Neurofeedback
Many people think neurofeedback is new, but it has actually been around since the 1960s and has continued to grow—especially with advances in technology. Today, there are tens of thousands of studies, including more than 3,000 peer-reviewed studies, demonstrating its effectiveness in treating a wide range of mental health and neurological conditions.
The roots of neurofeedback research go back to the late 1950s and early 1960s, when Dr. Joseph Kamiya at the University of Chicago and Dr. Barry Sterman at UCLA began studying how simple reinforcement could influence brainwave activity. Their groundbreaking findings were published in the APA’s Psychology Today in 1968.
In the 1970s, Dr. Joel Lubar pioneered the use of neurofeedback for children, adolescents, and adults with ADHD, continuing his research for decades. Many families traveled to his center seeking help for their children’s focus and hyperactivity challenges—long before neurofeedback became widely available.
Some of the earliest neurofeedback studies also focused on Vietnam War veterans with PTSD, anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders, demonstrating its potential for mental health recovery.
Why People Use Neurofeedback
Today, most people turn to neurofeedback therapy to reduce clinical symptoms and improve brain function, but it’s also used for peak performance training by athletes, musicians, and professionals who want to optimize cognitive function.
And it doesn’t just help symptoms—it actually changes how the brain functions. By reinforcing healthy brainwave activity, neurofeedback promotes new electrical activity in the brain, which in turn affects neurotransmitter function. Research even shows that neurofeedback can alter brain structure—Ghaziri et al. (2013) found that neurofeedback induces changes in both white and gray matter, demonstrating its powerful impact on brain health.
Neurofeedback is a real, science-backed tool that helps the brain function at its best—whether for mental health treatment, cognitive optimization, or peak performance.
The Basic of Neurofeedback: How it Works
Neurofeedback is a non-invasive therapy that helps train the brain to function in a more balanced and regulated way. It is based on operant conditioning which takes on the idea that the brain can learn new, healthier patterns, just like a muscle can be trained.
Here’s how it works:
- Your child wears sensors on their scalp to track their brainwave activity
- They then play a game, listen to music, or watch a video, which responds to their brain’s activity real-time. Yes, how the sounds/videos are delivered will depend on their brain’s activity.
- Every time the sensors detect that their brain is functioning in an optimal way, they get a reward (like the sound improving or the picture getting clearer)
- Over-time, after a series of sessions, their brain becomes capable of self-regulating without computer assistance. This leads to better focus, reduced anxiety, and better emotional control.
Think of it like teaching their brain to ride a bike – it learns through practice and feedback until the new pattern becomes automatic.
There are different types of neurofeedback including:
- EEG neurofeedback
- Slow Cortical Potential Neurofeedback (SCP-NF)
- Low-Energy Neurofeedback System (LENS)
- Hemoencephalographic (HEG) Neurofeedback
- Live Z-score Neurofeedback
- Low-Resolution Electromagnetic Tomography (LORE-TA)
- Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)
Each type of neurofeedback is FDA-approved with certain methods being more effective for specific conditions. However, the success of neurofeedback depends on two key factors: the expertise of the practitioner who guides you and analyzes your results, and your commitment to your child’s treatment plan.
Going with a board-certified neurofeedback practitioner ensures that your child can be properly guided and assessed. You can learn more about board-certified practitioners like me from the Biofeedback Certification International Alliance (BCIA) at www.bcia.org.
What Does Research Say About Neurofeedback
There are many clinical applications of neurofeedback, including the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, OCD, PTSD, depression, epilepsy, sleep problems/insomnia, pain, addiction, schizophrenia, learning disabilities, (such as dyslexia and dyscalculia), autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) and more.
Neurofeedback serves to:
- Calm the nervous system and get it into a regulated parasympathetic state.
- Take the brain out of fight, flight or freeze so your child can pay attention, think, and take action.
- Regulate neurotransmitters in the brain when brainwaves are balanced.
Despite plenty of scientific backing, one common criticism is that there is still a need for more large-scale randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Multiple meta-analyses have consistently shown strong evidence supporting neurofeedback’s effectiveness—especially for conditions like ADHD, anxiety, and emotional regulation.
The reality is that, just like many cutting-edge therapies, neurofeedback research continues to grow, and the positive results seen in both clinical studies and real-life outcomes can’t be ignored.
Neurofeedback for ADHD and Executive Functioning
Neurofeedback is a science-backed, effective treatment for ADHD. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics has given neurofeedback a Level 1 effectiveness rating for ADHD treatment—the same as stimulant medication.
Decades of research confirm what we see in clinical practice every day: neurofeedback helps improve focus, impulse control, and emotional regulation in kids with ADHD.
- Studies have shown it to be more than 90% effective in reducing core ADHD symptoms, as measured by neuropsychological tests (Xiong, Shi & Xu, 2005).
- Meta-analyses by Arns et al. (2013, 2009) and Micoulaud-Franch et al. (2014) show that neurofeedback significantly reduces ADHD symptoms, making it an evidence-based treatment option.
- A comprehensive review (Arns, de Ridder, Strehl, Breteler & Coenen, 2009) found that neurofeedback led to substantial improvements in inattention and impulsivity, with moderate reductions in hyperactivity—which is a game-changer for many families.
If your child hasn’t responded well to medication or you’re looking for a lasting, drug-free solution, neurofeedback may be the answer (Lofthouse et al., 2012). Unlike medication, which only works while it’s in the system, neurofeedback helps train the brain to self-regulate—giving kids real, long-term improvements that support their success in school and life.
Neurofeedback for Anxiety
Research shows that EEG biofeedback can significantly reduce anxiety symptoms by calming the nervous system and overactive brainwave patterns (Hammond, 2005). Unlike medication or invasive treatments like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), neurofeedback has minimal risks or side effects and is a natural way to support long-term emotional regulation.
The science backs it up. A 2021 study by Chen et al. found that neurofeedback combined with mindfulness regulation helps retrain the brain’s activity patterns, reducing anxiety in a measurable way.
And it’s not just for generalized anxiety—neurofeedback has been shown to help with social anxiety, phobias, body-focused repetitive behaviors, and PTSD. What makes it so effective is that it directly targets dysregulated brainwave activity, calming the overactive stress response and helping the brain get out of that fight-or-flight mode. When the brain is more balanced, kids (and adults!) can feel calmer, more focused, and better able to handle stress—without the need for medication.
Neurofeedback Research for Depression, Mood Disorder and Behavior
Neurofeedback has been used to support mood, behavior, and emotional regulation since the 1970’s. It can have significant effects on major depressive disorder (Cheon, 2016).
Research from Yuan et. al (2014) that focused on neurofeedback training in the brain’s emotional center, the amygdala, found that it enhanced connectivity with temporal cortical regions, including the hippocampus. These results demonstrate lasting brain changes induced by amygdala neurofeedback training and suggest the importance of reinforcement learning in rehabilitating emotion regulation in supporting depression.
Lee (2019) found that neurofeedback can even be beneficial for treatment resistant depression. Noting that, “the results suggest that neurofeedback treatment may be effective as an augmentation treatment, not only for depressive symptoms, but also for functional recovery.”
Neurofeedback Research for OCD
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) can be incredibly challenging to treat, and research shows that 42% of individuals with OCD don’t respond to traditional therapy or medication (Krebs et al., 2015). For many parents, this means feeling stuck in a cycle of frustration – watching their child struggle despite trying everything.
But there is hope with a brain-based approach that addresses the root cause of OCD.
That is why in our BrainBehaviorReset™ Program, we take a comprehensive science-backed approach to helping children and teens with OCD. We focus on calming the brain with neurofeedback while also teaching families how to break the cycle of obsessions and compulsions using Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) Therapy and parent coaching.
Studies show that neurofeedback can significantly reduce OCD symptoms without medication (Barzegary, Yaghubi, & Rostami, 2011; Kopřivová et al., 2013). Hampson et al. (2012) found that neurofeedback helps calm an overactive orbitofrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for compulsive thoughts and behaviors.
Even more encouraging, a meta-analysis of neurofeedback research (Ferreira, Pêgo, & Morgado, 2019) found that, despite variations in study groupings, the overall effect size ranged from medium to large—showing just how powerful neurofeedback can be as part of an OCD treatment plan.
Most importantly, research shows that the benefits of neurofeedback don’t just stop when treatment ends. Studies confirm that symptom reduction in OCD is maintained long after neurofeedback sessions are completed (Sürmeli & Ertem, 2011), meaning that kids can experience lasting relief and improved daily functioning.
Neurofeedback Research for PANS/PANDAS
The main treatment for Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) and Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS) are antibiotic medications that target the bacteria. However once the symptoms have started to become more obvious and intense, it can cause stress and eventually affect your child’s immune system.
The Link Between the Immune System, Stress, and Brain Health
Science shows us that stress and brain health are deeply connected, and when the nervous system is dysregulated, it can take a toll on both mental and physical health. Psychoimmunology—the study of how stress impacts the immune system—confirms that calming the brain is essential for immune function, supporting the gut-brain axis and helping the nervous system shift into a regulated parasympathetic state where healing happens.
When the body is under stress, the immune system goes into overdrive, triggering inflammation and mobilizing immune cells to respond to perceived threats. This chronic stress response can worsen PANS/PANDAS symptoms, making it even more critical to regulate the brain and nervous system.
How Neurofeedback Supports Immune Function
Research shows that neurofeedback supports immune function and has been beneficial for a variety of physical conditions, including fibromyalgia (Wu, 2021), cancer (Hetkamp et al., 2019), chronic pain conditions like complex regional pain syndrome (Jensen et al., 2007), MS-related depression and fatigue (Choobforoushzadeh et al., 2015), neuropathy (Prinsloo, 2018), and stroke recovery (Mottaz et al., 2018).
Neurofeedback as a Powerful Tools for PANS/PANDAS
For children with PANS/PANDAS, neurofeedback is an essential tool for calming the autonomic nervous system and improving brain regulation, which in turn helps reduce inflammation and support immune function. Families see improvements in attention and executive functioning, memory and word retrieval, anxiety, obsessions and compulsions, food restrictions, sensory sensitivities, tics, mood swings, rage, and emotional regulation—all common symptoms in children with neuroinflammatory conditions.
At the end of the day, helping the brain regulate itself is key to supporting the body, and neurofeedback is a safe, effective, and drug-free way to do just that.
How Does Neurofeedback Compare to Other Treatments?
Unlike medication, which only provides relief while it’s in the system, neurofeedback teaches the brain lasting self-regulation skills. This means that even after treatment ends, the brain continues to function in a more balanced way.
Treatment | How it Works | Side Effects | Long-Term Benefits |
Neurofeedback | Trains the brain to self-regulate | None | Yes, effects last with continued training |
Medication | Alters brain chemistry | Possible sleep issues, appetite changes | Effects stop when discontinued |
Talk Therapy | Builds coping skills | None | Yes, but requires consistent practice |
Why More Parents Are Choosing Neurofeedback
As a parent, you always want to support your child in the best way possible, but finding the right solution – especially one that is safe, effective, and long-lasting – can feel impossible.
That’s why more families are turning to science-backed, holistic solutions like neurofeedback. It helps children regulate their emotions, improve focus, and reduce anxiety naturally, without the side effects of medication.
By training the brain to function more optimally, your child is given the skills he/she needs not just for today, but for life.
Parent Action Steps:
Neurofeedback research citations
Arns, M., Conners, C. K., Kraemer, H.C. (2013). A decade of EEG theta/beta ratio research in ADHD: a meta-analysis. Journal of Attention Disorders, 17(5), 374-383. doi: 10.1177/1087054712460087
Arns, M., de Ridder, S., Strehl, U., Breteler, M., & Coenen, A. (2009). Efficacy of neurofeedback treatment in ADHD: The effects on inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity: A meta-analysis. Clinical EEG and Neuroscience, 40(3), 180-189. doi:10.1177/1550059409040003
Barzegary, L., Yaghubi, H., Rostami, R., (2011). The effect of QEEG- guided neurofeedback treatment in decreasing of OCD symptoms. Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences, Volume 30. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877042811023469
Blaskovits, F., Tyerman, J., & Luctkar-Flude, M. (2017). Effectiveness of neurofeedback therapy for anxiety and stress in adults living with a chronic illness: a systematic review protocol. JBI database of systematic reviews and implementation reports, 15(7), 1765–1769. https://doi.org/10.11124/JBISRIR-2016-003118
Choobforoushzadeh, A., Neshat-Doost, H. T., Molavi, H., & Abedi, M. R. (2015). Effect of neurofeedback training on depression and fatigue in patients with multiple sclerosis. Applied psychophysiology and biofeedback, 40(1), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10484-014-9267-4
Cueli, M., Rodríguez, C., Cabaleiro, P., García, T., & González-Castro, P. (2019). Differential Efficacy of Neurofeedback in Children with ADHD Presentations. Journal of clinical medicine, 8(2), 204. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm8020204
Cheon, E. J., Koo, B. H., & Choi, J. H. (2016). The Efficacy of Neurofeedback in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder: An Open Labeled Prospective Study. Applied psychophysiology and biofeedback, 41(1), 103–110. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10484-015-9315-8
Ferreira, S., Pêgo, J. M., & Morgado, P. (2019). The efficacy of biofeedback approaches for obsessive-compulsive and related disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychiatry research, 272, 237–245. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2018.12.096
Hampson, M., Stoica, T., Saksa, J., Scheinost, D., Qiu, M., Bhawnani, J., Pittenger, C., Papademetris, X., & Constable, T. (2012). Real-time fMRI biofeedback targeting the orbitofrontal cortex for contamination anxiety. Journal of visualized experiments : JoVE, (59), 3535. https://doi.org/10.3791/3535
Hetkamp, M., Bender, J., Rheindorf, N., Kowalski, A., Lindner, M., Knispel, S., Beckmann, M., Tagay, S., & Teufel, M. (2019). A Systematic Review of the Effect of Neurofeedback in Cancer Patients. Integrative cancer therapies, 18, 1534735419832361. https://doi.org/10.1177/1534735419832361
Gustafson C. (2016). David Haase,md: Healing the Gut and Brain Through Electrophysiology. Integrative medicine (Encinitas, Calif.), 15(5), 26–29.
Ghaziri, J., Tucholka, A., Larue, V., Blanchette-Sylvestre, M., Reyburn, G., Gilbert, G., Lévesque, J., & Beauregard, M. (2013). Neurofeedback training induces changes in white and gray matter. Clinical EEG and neuroscience, 44(4), 265–272. https://doi.org/10.1177/1550059413476031
Jensen, M. P., Grierson, C., Tracy-Smith, V., Bacigalupi, S. C., & Othmer, S. (2007). Neurofeedback treatment for pain associated with complex regional pain syndrome type I. Journal of Neurotherapy, 11(1), 45–53. https://doi.org/10.1300/J184v11n01_04
Kopřivová, J., Congedo, M., Raszka, M., Praško, J., Brunovský, M., & Horáček, J. (2013). Prediction of treatment response and the effect of independent component neurofeedback in obsessive-compulsive disorder: a randomized, sham-controlled, double-blind study. Neuropsychobiology, 67(4), 210–223. https://doi.org/10.1159/000347087
Lee, Y. J., Lee, G. W., Seo, W. S., Koo, B. H., Kim, H. G., & Cheon, E. J. (2019). Neurofeedback Treatment on Depressive Symptoms and Functional Recovery in Treatment-Resistant Patients with Major Depressive Disorder: an Open-Label Pilot Study. Journal of Korean medical science, 34(42), e287. https://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2019.34.e287
Marzbani, H., Marateb, H. R., & Mansourian, M. (2016). Neurofeedback: A Comprehensive Review on System Design, Methodology and Clinical Applications. Basic and clinical neuroscience, 7(2), 143–158. https://doi.org/10.15412/J.BCN.03070208
Micoulaud-Franchi, J-A., Geoffroy, P. A., Fond, G., Lopez, R., Bioulac, S., Philip, P. (2014). EEG neurofeedback treatments in children with ADHD: An update meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 8(906), 1-7. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2014.00906 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25431555
Micoulaud-Franchi, J. A., McGonigal, A., Lopez, R., Daudet, C., Kotwas, I., & Bartolomei, F. (2015). Electroencephalographic neurofeedback: Level of evidence in mental and brain disorders and suggestions for good clinical practice. Neurophysiologie clinique = Clinical neurophysiology, 45(6), 423–433. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neucli.2015.10.077
Mottaz, A., Corbet, T., Doganci, N., Magnin, C., Nicolo, P., Schnider, A., & Guggisberg, A. G. (2018). Modulating functional connectivity after stroke with neurofeedback: Effect on motor deficits in a controlled cross-over study. NeuroImage. Clinical, 20, 336–346. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nicl.2018.07.029
Prinsloo, S., Novy, D., Driver, L., Lyle, R., Ramondetta, L., Eng, C., Lopez, G., Li, Y., & Cohen, L. (2018). The Long-Term Impact of Neurofeedback on Symptom Burden and Interference in Patients With Chronic Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathy: Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of pain and symptom management, 55(5), 1276–1285. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2018.01.010
Shrestha, M., Lautenschleger, J., & Soares, N. (2020). Non-pharmacologic management of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents: a review. Translational pediatrics, 9(Suppl 1), S114–S124. https://doi.org/10.21037/tp.2019.10.01
Sürmeli, T., & Ertem, A. (2011). Obsessive compulsive disorder and the efficacy of qEEG-guided neurofeedback treatment: a case series. Clinical EEG and neuroscience, 42(3), 195–201. https://doi.org/10.1177/155005941104200310
Wu, Y. L., Fang, S. C., Chen, S. C., Tai, C. J., & Tsai, P. S. (2021). Effects of Neurofeedback on Fibromyalgia: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Pain management nursing : official journal of the American Society of Pain Management Nurses, 22(6), 755–763. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmn.2021.01.004
Xiong, Z., Shi, S., & Xu, H. (2005). A controlled study of the effectiveness of EEG biofeedback training on-children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Journal of Huazhong University of Science and Technology. Medical sciences, 25(3), 368–370. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02828171
Dr. Roseann is a mental health expert in Self-Regulation who frequently is in the media:
- Creative Clinician's Corner: Neurofeedback
- Helping Children Thrive Podcast: Neurofeedback
- Holistic Counseling Podcast: Neurofeedback
Always remember… “Calm Brain, Happy Family™”
Disclaimer: This article is not intended to give health advice and it is recommended to consult with a physician before beginning any new wellness regime. *The effectiveness of diagnosis and treatment vary by patient and condition. Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, LLC does not guarantee certain results.
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Dr. Roseann is a Children’s Mental Health Expert and Therapist who has been featured in/on hundreds of media outlets including, CBS, NBC, FOX News, PIX11 NYC, The New York Times, The Washington Post,, Business Insider, USA Today, CNET, Marth Stewart, and PARENTS. FORBES called her, “A thought leader in children’s mental health.”
She is the founder and director of The Global Institute of Children’s Mental Health and Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge. Dr. Roseann is a Board Certified Neurofeedback (BCN) Practitioner, a Board Member of the Northeast Region Biofeedback Society (NRBS), Certified Integrative Medicine Mental Health Provider (CMHIMP) and an Amen Clinic Certified Brain Health Coach. She is also a member of The International Lyme Disease and Associated Disease Society (ILADS), The American Psychological Association (APA), Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) International Society for Neurofeedback and Research (ISNR) and The Association of Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback (AAPB).
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