The Effect of the Cognitive-Rehabilitation Software RehaCom on Quantitative Electroencephalogram Indices Related to Emotion Regulation in Adolescents with ADHD

Abstract

Background: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental condition associated with alterations in frontal neural activity. Quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG) provides an objective method for examining frequency-band dynamics related to cognitive control processes. Objectives: This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of the Response Control module of the RehaCom cognitive rehabilitation software on resting-state frontal QEEG indices in adolescents with ADHD. Methods: Twenty-eight adolescents aged 13 - 17 years with DSM-5-based ADHD diagnoses were randomly allocated to an intervention group receiving routine treatment plus RehaCom training or a control group receiving routine treatment only. The intervention comprised 10 sessions delivered over 5 weeks. Resting-state QEEG recordings were obtained before and after the intervention from frontal sites Fz, Fp1, and Fp2. Spectral power in the theta (4 - 8 Hz), alpha (8 - 13 Hz), and beta (13 - 30 Hz) bands was computed using the Fast Fourier Transform. Post-test differences were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), controlling for baseline values. Results: After adjustment for baseline scores, significant between-group differences were observed in beta power at Fz (F = 6.164, P = 0.020, η2 = 0.198) and alpha power at Fp2 (F = 4.771, P = 0.039, η2 = 0.160). These effect sizes indicated a moderate proportion of explained variance. No statistically significant differences were observed for other QEEG measures (all P > 0.05). Conclusions: RehaCom-based cognitive rehabilitation was associated with selective changes in frontal QEEG activity in adolescents with ADHD. Given the exploratory nature of the QEEG analyses and the limited sample size, these findings should be interpreted cautiously. Further trials incorporating larger samples and concurrent behavioral outcomes are warranted.