The effect of neurofeedback training of infra-low frequencies in a child diagnosed with pervasive developmental disorder

Pervazivni razvojni poremećaji predstavljaju širok spektar neurorazvojnih poremećaja koji su karakterizirani poteškoćama u socijalnoj komunikaciji i interakciji, te restriktivnim i repetitivnim obrascima ponašanja. Simptomi poremećaja mogu biti prisutni u različitim kombinacijama i popraćeni drugim teškoćama. Obzirom na kompleksnost poremećaja, u rehabilitaciji se koriste razni terapijski modeli i pristupi. Jedan od tih pristupa koji se posljednjih desetljeća sve više koristi u terapiji pervazivnih razvojnih poremećaja je neurofeedback. U skladu s navedenim, cilj ovog istraživanja bio je dobiti uvid u način funkcioniranja djeteta s pervazivnim razvojnim poremećajem prije provedbe neurofeedback tretmana, te dobiti uvid u funkcioniranje djeteta nakon primjene neurofeedback tretmana iz perspektive majke djeteta. Odgovorima na postavljena istraživačka pitanja dobiveni su iskazi o postojanju simptoma poremećaja koji uključuju problematiku na bihevioralnom, socio-emocionalnom i senzo-motoričkom razvoju djeteta, te o poboljšanju funkcioniranja djeteta nakon provedbe neurofeedback tretmana.Pervasive developmental disorders represent a wide range of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by difficulties in social interaction and communication, as well as restrictive and repetitive behavioral patterns. Symptoms of the disorder may be present in different combinations and accompanied by other difficulties. Given the complexity of the disorder, rehabilitation includes various therapeutic models and approaches. One of those approaches that has been increasingly used in recent decades in the treatment of pervasive developmental disorders is neurofeedback. Accordingly, the aim of this research was to gain insight into the functioning of a child diagnosed with pervasive developmental disorder prior to the implementation of neurofeedback treatment, and then also after the application of neurofeedback treatment from the perspective of the child's mother. The obtained statements that answered the research questions point to the existence of symptoms of the disorder, which are reflected on the behavioral, socio-emotional and sensory-motor development of the child; moreover, they also show an improvement in the functioning of the child after the implementation of neurofeedback treatment