How Microcurrent Neurofeedback Therapy Treats ADHD Symptoms

Learn how an innovative combo of microcurrent treatment and neurofeedback can tackle ADHD symptoms

About 6 million US children have ADHD, and 62% take medication to help them focus and control their behavior. However, with the drug crisis skyrocketing, they are left with fewer treatment options.

FDA announced a shortage of Adderall, the first line of treatment frug, in October, and 64% of pharmacies reported Adderall shortages this summer. 

This, paired with the economic burden of ADHD, points towards the need for more holistic management of this neurodevelopmental condition.

In this article, we have discussed how sessions of two such alternative therapies, when combined, can help you resolve ADHD symptoms, with or without other treatment options.

Is ADHD A Brain Disorder?

The three main symptom categories of ADHD (inattention, impulsivity, hyperactivity) are likely to be caused by different parts of the brain. This could make it hard to figure out the pathophysiology of ADHD from studies that look at a variety of clinical presentations.

Networks carry signals through the brain, and ADHD is linked to changes in these neural networks in the grey-and-white matter of one's brain. There is a link between these changes and problems with working memory and paying attention.

Your neural signals travel across your brain networks through chemicals called neurotransmitters. Two such substances, norepinephrine and dopamine are affected by ADHD. ADHD medicines generally work on dopamine, a neurotransmitter involved in pleasure, motivation, and reward.

One of the most influential ideas about what causes ADHD in the brain is that a lack of inhibitory control leads to executive dysfunction. Basal ganglia, thalamus, and cortical circuits are thought to control administrative functions- executive dysfunction is one of the hallmarks of ADHD.

Because of such complicated changes in the neuronal circuits, we can say that ADHD is a brain disorder.

What Exactly Is Microcurrent Neurofeedback Therapy For Brain Disorders Like ADHD

Microcurrent neurofeedback therapy combines two forms of alternative treatment options for various conditions:

• Microcurrent therapy spreads tiny electric currents of 1 mA across the skin without activating muscle contractions. It is used to manage various conditions, e.g., mental disorders, chronic pain, etc.

• Neurofeedback is a therapy that stimulates your brain and improves its dysfunctional activity. It helps people consciously control their brainwaves.EEG is recorded, and its components are retrieved and fed to individuals utilizing a feedback loop.

Positive feedback is based on operant conditioning, a learning theory. The nervous system is briefly stimulated by microcurrent neurofeedback for ADHD. This causes brainwaves to change quickly, allowing the brain to "reset" itself. It's like rebooting a computer.

Traditional neurofeedback sends an electrical signal of brain activity to training software. No signal or technology helps patients target specific brain locations. On the other hand, microcurrent neurofeedback can resemble long-term therapy but with faster and more significant outcomes.

Microcurrent Neurofeedback Therapy Retrains Your Brain Waves In ADHD

In a clinical setting, the patient condition and neurofeedback system determine the goals of the therapy session.

Electrodes are placed on your scalp and measure real-time brain waves via electroencephalography (EEG). As neurofeedback training begins, you can do something fun, like watching a movie.

When the EEG finds your brain wave activity meeting treatment goals, your brain is rewarded. For instance, when your brain produces the desired waves, you are rewarded with a larger movie screen.

EEG monitors your brain waves and provides positive feedback when treatment goals are accomplished. This training loop lets your brain self-correct undesired patterns.

After treatment, your brain will be wired to encourage the growth of new neural pathways. 

This lets you form new, healthier habits and become more resilient and grounded. It stops behaviors like impulsivity, anger, and anxiety linked to ADHD.

By employing microcurrents in this process, sessions are more effective as it speeds up your brain changes. 

Microcurrent Neurofeedback Therapy Can Help Treat Various Symptoms of ADHD

When treating ADHD, the goal is to get the brain's cortical areas to fire signals more often. Different kinds of neurofeedback are, of course, not the same. But they all make it easier for people to handle symptoms.

Studies suggest that neurofeedback training can help kids with ADHD pay more attention and be less hyperactive or impulsive.

For Inattention

In 2012, researchers evaluated 14 randomized trials and found neurofeedback training relatively reduced ADHD individuals' inattention and hyperactivity.

In fact, it has been researched that neurofeedback persistently helps students focus on schoolwork and improves ADHD students' academic performance.

For Cognitive Deficits

People with ADHD struggle with cognitive problems like executive dysfunction. They have trouble planning how to do things, like putting together a party or doing long division in the correct order.

Standalone neurofeedback and microcurrent therapies have long been reported to improve cognitive impairment symptoms for people with various disorders. A combination of both is thus great for helping people who have ADHD.

For Behavioural Problems

Adjusting brainwaves is how microcurrent neurofeedback calms down the nervous system and resets neuropathways. 

Slow changes and improvements might help relieve symptoms over the long term. This way, people with chronic conditions like ADHD can get help from neurofeedback.

It also helps kids relax, fidget less, and engage in lesser impulsive actions, as has been studied by researchers.

For Mood Dysregulation

ADHD alters your ability to regulate emotions. The result could be overblown, extreme reactions to minor changes or challenges in life.

As electromedicine and neurofeedback treatments are helpful for mood disorders like depression, microcurrent neurofeedback can help treat mood dysregulation in ADHD.

For Sleep Problems

ADHD patients are more likely to have sleep problems like reduced sleep duration, difficulty falling and staying asleep, and sleep disturbance. ADHD kids with sleeplessness often have nightmares.

A combo treatment of microcurrents and neurofeedback can improve these issues. In fact, microcurrent therapy devices are FDA-approved for treating insomnia. 

When microcurrent therapy's effectiveness in treating sleep issues was studied, patients reported an average 87% improvement in the insomnia category.

Final Verdict 

During microcurrent neurofeedback therapy, the goal is for people to pay more attention, keep their minds busy, and have fewer ADHD symptoms overall.

So, microcurrent neuro treatments could be an excellent way to treat ADHD in you or your child, significantly if medications haven't helped or if the harmful side effects outweigh the sound changes in behavior. 

Similarly, it may also help if you or your child won't want to take medicine for ADHD and would instead try a more natural, whole-person approach.

FAQs

What is microcurrent therapy used for?

Microcurrent therapy helps treat arthritis, post-pain, skin concerns, cognitive abnormalities, and sports injuries. It reduces inflammation in the body and quickens the recovery process.

Does microcurrent therapy actually work?

Microcurrent has been used in physical therapy for decades. It's safe to say that it works. It's non-invasive and rarely causes adverse effects.

What is the best therapy for ADHD?

Medication, psychoeducation, and counseling are standard adult ADHD therapies. Effective treatment generally combines these. Medications manage ADHD symptoms but don't cure them. Alternative therapies like microcurrent therapy are being employed too.