Consumer Reports & ADHD

[Bill]

Consumer Reports has launched a health web site (how ironic is that – medicine as a consumer good!), and here is what they say about ADHD Treatment:

Many alternative treatments are used to help children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). But there is little good-quality research on any of them.

Source:

Mercugliano M, Power TJ, and Blum NJ.

Alternative treatments for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

In: The Clinician’s practical guide to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Paul H Brookes Publishing, Baltimore, U.S.A.; 1999.

1 Below, we outline two of the most common alternative treatments for ADHD. But 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.

Biofeedback

Biofeedback works on the principle that you can learn to control behavior by getting better at recognizing your body’s signals. Two types of biofeedback are used for ADHD.

* Electromyogram (EMG) biofeedback encourages children to relax by helping them to recognize when their muscles tense.

Source:

Chan E.

The role of complementary and alternative medicine in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. 2002; 23 (supplement 1): S37-S45.

2 A machine called an electromyograph is used to measure the tension in their muscles.

* Electroencephalogram (EEG) biofeedback helps children recognize “good” brain waves that allow them to concentrate.

Source:

Mercugliano M, Power TJ, and Blum NJ.

Alternative treatments for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

In: The Clinician’s practical guide to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Paul H Brookes Publishing, Baltimore, U.S.A.; 1999.

1 A machine called an electroencephalograph records your child’s brain waves as a pattern of waves and spikes across a screen. The pattern changes when your child is alert, daydreaming or sleepy. A computer then converts this pattern of waves into sounds or pictures. Your child knows from these sounds or pictures whether he or she is producing “good” brain waves. Your child can then learn how to keep these “good” brain waves going for longer periods.

Source:

Mercugliano M, Power TJ, and Blum NJ.

Alternative treatments for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

In: The Clinician’s practical guide to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Paul H Brookes Publishing, Baltimore, U.S.A.; 1999.

Visual exercises

Several visual exercises are used to treat children with ADHD. Some exercises try to help children pay attention by improving how their eyes focus and coordinate. Other exercises involve wearing colored lenses. Visual exercises can vary a great deal because experts haven’t agreed on what exercises work best.

Source:

Mercugliano M, Power TJ, and Blum NJ.

Alternative treatments for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

In: The Clinician’s practical guide to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Paul H Brookes Publishing, Baltimore, U.S.A.; 1999.

Maybe the ironic thing is that I paid money for this information. Here’s the link: http://www.consumerreports.org/health/conditions-and-treatments/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder/treatments/alternative-treatments.htm

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