Comparing the Effects of Motivational Manipulation and Neurofeedback Methods on Reward Sensitivity, Delay Discounting, and Impulsivity in Children With Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

This study aims to compare the effects of two methods of motivational manipulation and neurofeedback on reward sensitivity, delay discounting, and impulsivity in children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

 This is an experimental study with a pre-test/post-test/follow-up design using a control group. Participants were 90 children aged 7-12 years with ADHD in Tehran, Iran who were selected using a convenience sampling method. Neurofeedback and motivational manipulation were performed in the two intervention groups at 12 sessions each session for 45 minutes. Balloon Analogue Risk task and Chocolate  Delay Discounting task were used to collect data. The collected data were analyzed using MANCOVA in SPSS v.23 software.

After controlling the effects of pre-test scores on post-test scores, the difference between the groups in the post-test phase was statistically significant in terms of impulsivity and delay discounting (P<0.01) and reward sensitivity (P<0.05). The neurofeedback method (Mean=4.66) had a greater effect on reward sensitivity than motivational manipulation method (Mean=2.31) compared to the control group, which was significant (P<0.01). The effect of motivational manipulation (Mean=2.31) was not significant in comparison with the control group.

Voluntary activation of dopaminergic regions of the brain by neurofeedback and motivational manipulation leads to endogenous dopamine control in these regions, resulting in successful regulation or inhibitory control and reduced cravings, which reduces impulsivity and reward sensitivity.