Neurofeedback as an effective intervention for academic performance in children with problems in attention and concentration

Abstract

One of the major reasons for academic underperformance in school children is problems in attention and concentration. While innovative teaching methods and remedial teaching can bring change in academic performance, the basic problem of attention needs to be addressed. Neurofeedback is a device that indicates on the computer screen desirable changes in the Electroencephalogram (EEG) in a manner that can be easily comprehended by the participant. Training the neural activities in children by using neurofeedback is found effective on both clinical and non-clinical samples. Neurofeedback can be used for screening as well as intervening in concerns related to children with problems in attention and concentration. It is found to enhance reading skills, IQ scores, cognitive abilities, academic performance and modify behaviour. Since neurofeedback intervention is not found to be effective for children without problems in attention and concentration, intervention has to be applied judiciously after appropriate screening by experts.