Assessing the Impact of Neurofeedback on Cognitive Function in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review.

Abstract

Objectives: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by qualitative deficits in behavior and social interaction patterns. Recently, cognitive impairments commonly associated with ASD have been well-documented. Neurofeedback (NFB) has been proposed as a potential treatment for individuals with autism, but its effectiveness in improving cognitive issues remains uncertain despite multiple trials. This review aims to summarize the estate of documents regarding the cognitive efficacy of NFB for participants with ASD.

Materials & methods: Conducting a systematic review adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, this study scrutinized NFB studies specific to ASD treatment. Its inclusion criteria focused on studies involving individuals with ASD without comorbidities, employing JBI checklists to assess study quality. Utilizing PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and Scopus, supplemented by manual paper reviews, we initially identified 474 papers. After deduplication and full-text review, 12 studies were selected for analysis.

Results: Findings revealed that 83% of the chosen studies highlighted a positive impact of NFB on cognition in individuals with ASD. The findings suggest NFB as a promising alternative treatment, demonstrating efficacy in addressing attention, memory, executive function, and speech difficulties. Additionally, six studies indicated sustained long-term effectiveness of NFB in improving cognitive functioning among ASD patients.

Conclusion: This review supports the potential of NFB as a viable intervention for cognitive challenges in ASD. Furthermore, the results hint at broader applications of NFB beyond ASD, suggesting efficacy in addressing conditions like Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), sleep apnea, depression, and epilepsy.