HealthFirst-New ADHD treatment

UNDATED (WJRT) (WJRT) -- (11/01/06)-- Believe it or not, the hot new "breakthrough" treatment for Attention Deficit Disorder is a video game.

HealthFirst reporter Leslie LoBue tells us the specially-designed games are becoming an alternative to the usual prescription drugs.

This is really an important discovery for parents who do not like the side effects that go along with drugs like Ritalin.

What is remarkable about two children playing together is not what is happening, but what is not.

"The kids aren't fighting. They're playing games together," said a watchful Jill Mathur, whose children have ADHD.

That's unusual for children like Julia and Janelle Mathur, who have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD.

"They just aren't able to filter what's important at the moment, so they're trying to take everything in at once," explained Dr. Margaret MacDonald, an ADHD specialist.

Janelle had trouble with tests. "I just couldn't concentrate. I heard lots of small noises, scratching of paper."

MacDonald treats ADHD with smart brain games. It's a new system that combines brain wave monitoring, biofeedback and video games. The goal is to alter the brain wave patterns responsible for ADHD.

A hat is fitted with sensors. The patient is only successful at the game when emitting the right kinds of brain waves. "If they don't do the right thing, then they can't steer and they'll crash, and eventually, the brain will keep trying to do what it has to do to succeed in the game," said MacDonald.

No doubt about it, the process works.  "If I'm taking a test, I can think about the problem, not the sounds," Janelle said.

"I knew they were really wonderful people inside, and I am so excited to see who they are coming out," Jill said.

Janelle is now completely off her ADHD meds and Julia has reduced her doses.

"It's as close to a magic bullet as I've ever seen," said Jill.

The "smart" brain games require about 40 half-hour sessions.

While the video games are equally effective as biofeedback techniques, kids are more likely to stick with the video games.

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