Eric B. Miller, Ph.D. miller@biofeedback.net Abstract p. 1

GETTING FROM PSY-PHY (PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGY)
TO MEDICAL POLICY VIA MUSIC AND NEUROFEEDBACK
FOR ADHD CHILDREN
Eric B. Miller

Abstract

   Within the backdrop of a societal healthcare paradigm swing, this study of EEG
neurofeedback with music therapy protocols added an experimental group (NF-MUS) to
an existing Philadelphia Office for Mental Health multi-site study of two traditional
neurofeedback (NF) protocols. Thirty-eight subjects completed the pre- and post intervention
assessment comprised of the Stroop, Toni-3, NEPSY Attention/Executive
core domain score, Conners CPT and ADHD Parent and Teacher Rating Scales Revised
(S). NF-MUS subjects also received pre- and post-quantitative EEG (QEEG)
topographical brain-mapping. NF-MUS utilized a Theta/Beta protocol variation,
incorporating brain-triggered musical tones assigned to Theta amplitude in key with
background musical selections.

   Individual results within the NF-MUS group showed improvement on NEPSY
core domain scores and improvement individually on the Stroop Color and Word tests,
but showed mixed results on the combined Stroop Color/Word test. Three out of four
NF-MUS subjects improved their TONI quotient. CPT results were mixed, with some
individuals displaying dramatic improvement on the CPTÕs ADHD index score. A paired samples
T-test showed no significant differences between pre- and post-Toni-3 scores or
Stroop Color/Word scores. Significant improvement was found for the Stroop Color and
Stroop Word scores individually and for the NEPSY Executive Function/Attention
subscale index scores.