Lifestyle Effects in a Randomized Controlled Trial of Neurofeedback for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2025 May 16. doi: 10.1089/cap.2025.0019. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Objectives/Background: Multiple factors influence symptom severity in Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). We examined four of these: diet, sleep hygiene, exercise, and lighting, in the International Collaborative ADHD Neurofeedback (ICAN) randomized clinical trial, which found large significant improvement with both active neurofeedback and control condition without treatment difference. Methods: A total of 142 participants aged 7-10 had breakfast and lunch intake and exercise recorded at each neurofeedback session. Parents completed the Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ). Parents and teachers rated inattention on Conners3. Lifestyle changes were correlated with inattention changes. Results: At baseline, CSHQ correlated with parent-rated inattention (r = 0.17, p = 0.04), and length of sleep correlated with teacher-rated inattention (r = 0.20, p = 0.03). From baseline to treatment end food group variety (p = 0.029, d = 0.22) and sleep problems (p < 0.0001, d = -0.49) improved significantly, exercise time and protein intake marginally (p = 0.06 – 0.08). Parent-rated inattention improvement correlated with CSHQ improvement (Rho = 0.26, p = 0.002) and marginally with protein intake increase (Rho = 0.18, p = 0.06). The three components of the light-emitting-diode (LED)-induced circadian pathway hypothesis were significant. Conclusions: Most measures improved, but few significantly. How much they impact classroom attention remains unclear. Although parent ratings of inattention improvement correlated with sleep problems improvement, composited parent/teacher ratings (primary outcome) did not. The circadian pathway hypothesis associated with LED lighting was supported. These findings warrant further studies examining the role sleep hygiene can play in improving ADHD symptoms. Meanwhile, attention to sleep hygiene seems appropriate in any treatment plan for ADHD.