Biofeedback, a "physical therapy" or sorts for the brain, has long been known to help people with ADD and ADHD. A recent study now shows a way to beef up the ADD and ADHD benefits of biofeedback; add a little Mozart to the biofeedback therapy.

In a recent 2004 controlled study of 19 ADD children and adolescents, one group listened to recordings of Mozart during brain wave biofeedback sessions three times weekly. The control group underwent biofeedback without music. The group that listened to Mozart displayed better focus and mood control, diminished impulsivity and improved social skill. Among the subjects that improved, 70 percent maintained that improvement six months after the end of the study without further training.

This study is interesting in that it incorporates two alternative methods shown to help ADD and ADHD, biofeedback and classical music.

Biofeedback, a therapy that teaches patients to control physiologic functions such as heart rate, muscle tension, and even their brain waves, has emerged as an effective treatment for ADD and ADHD. Several studies point to the biofeedback ADD and ADHD benefits;

In a 2002 study, 101 children and adolescents with ADHD received ADD and ADHD treatment that included stimulant medication, behavioral therapy, and school consultation services. Half of the study participants also received biofeedback therapy. After one year, participants whose treatment included biofeedback showed greater improvement than the group not using biofeedback.

In a 2003 study, parents of 34 children with ADHD between the ages of 8 and 12 chose either ADHD medication or biofeedback therapy for their child. After three months of either biofeedback therapy or medication, children in both groups showed significant and comparable reductions in ADD and ADHD symptoms. Researchers gauged progress based on parent and teacher surveys, as well as laboratory testing of attention.

The drawback of biofeedback for ADD and ADHD is its cost. A biofeedback session typically costs $60 to $150. It can take 30 to 100 sessions before experiencing significant improvements in ADHD symptoms.

Studies have also shown that classical music may be an important factor in aiding children in learning, retaining information, and communication skills. Classical music, with an average 50 to 70 beats per minute is optimal for learning. One study, citing a “Mozart Effect,” showed that listening to Mozart can improve an IQ score by up to 13 points.

Researchers also found that classical music helps listeners become relaxed and attentive, even if they do not like classical music. Listening to classical music also provided health benefits such as lower blood pressure, lower muscle tension, and a slower pulse rate.

The recent classic music/biofeedback study used Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “100 Masterpieces, Vol. 3." It included the selections of Piano Concerto No. 21 in C, The Marriage of Figaro, Flute Concerto No. 2 in D, Don Giovanni and other concertos and sonatas.

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Last updated: 02/06