Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39674997›Full record

Trial reportApplied psychophysiology and biofeedback2025

Theta/Beta Ratio Neurofeedback Effects on Resting and Task-Related Theta Activity in Children with ADHD.

Stefanie Enriquez-Geppert, Jaroslav Krc, Hanneke van Dijk, Roger J deBeus, L Eugene Arnold, Martijn Arns

Abstract readRandomized Controlled TrialMulticenter Study
In one paragraph

Trial report in Applied psychophysiology and biofeedback, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Review
  3. Article
  4. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Stefanie Enriquez-Geppert *Department of Clinical and Developmental Neuropsychology, Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences, University of Groningen, Grote Kruisstraat 2/1, 9712 TS, Groningen, The Netherlands.ORCID 0000-0001-7305-0111
Jaroslav Krc *Department of Clinical and Developmental Neuropsychology, Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences, University of Groningen, Grote Kruisstraat 2/1, 9712 TS, Groningen, The Netherlands. j.krc@rug.nl.ORCID 0009-0004-9060-3290
Hanneke van DijkSynaeda Research, Synaeda Psycho Medisch Centrum, Drachten, The Netherlands.ORCID 0000-0002-6692-3129
Roger J deBeusDepartment of Psychology, University of North Carolina at Asheville, Asheville, USA.ORCID 0000-0001-9426-2690
L Eugene ArnoldDepartment of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Ohio State University, Columbus, USA.ORCID 0000-0002-0886-0692
Martijn ArnsResearch Institute Brainclinics, Brainclinics Foundation, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.ORCID 0000-0002-0610-7613

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

The EEG theta band displays distinct roles in resting and task states. Low resting theta and transient increases in frontal-midline (fm) theta power during tasks are associated with better cognitive control, such as error monitoring. ADHD can disrupt this balance, resulting in high resting theta linked to drowsiness and low fm-theta activity associated with reduced cognitive abilities. Theta/beta ratio (TBR) neurofeedback aims to normalize resting state activity by downregulating theta, which could potentially unfavorably affect task-related fm-theta. This study examines the TBR neurofeedback's impact on both resting and fm-theta activity, hypothesizing that remission depends on these effects. We analyzed data from a multi-center, double-blind randomized controlled trial with 142 children with ADHD and high TBR (ICAN study). Participants were randomized into experimental or sham NF groups. EEG measurements were taken at rest and during an Oddball task before and after neurofeedback, assessing global electrodes for resting theta and fm electrodes during error dynamics. Post-intervention changes were calculated as differences, and ANOVAs were conducted on GROUP, REMISSION, and CONDITION variables. Final analysis included fewer participants for all analyses. Resting state analysis showed no significant effects on global or fm-theta after TBR neurofeedback. Error dynamics analysis was inconclusive for global and fm-theta in both remitters and non-remitters. Results suggest that the current TBR neurofeedback protocol did not reduce aberrant resting state theta, and emphasize the need for refined protocols targeting specific theta-band networks to reduce resting-state theta without affecting fm-theta related to cognitive control.

Indexed as

Attention Deficit Disorder with HyperactivityBeta RhythmNeurofeedbackPsychomotor PerformanceTheta RhythmAdolescentChildDouble-Blind MethodElectroencephalographyFemaleHumansMaleChildren with ADHDError-related dynamicsFm-thetaICAN studyTask-related and resting state thetaTheta–beta ratio neurofeedback

Identifiers

PMID39674997
PMCPMC12685981

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.