http://cbs5.com/news/local/2004/04/30/HealthWatch:_Treating_ADHD_Without_D
rugs.html
HealthWatch: Treating ADHD Without Drugs
Dr. Kim Mulvihill
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For years, doctors have used Ritalin to treat ADHD, but parents who are leery
about giving their kids drugs don't have many proven alternatives.
But now researchers are testing a new approach for Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder. They're treating kids with motion instead of medicine,
by using sights, sounds, and movement to stimulate a nerve involving the inner
ear -- known as the eighth nerve.
"We found that stimulation through the eighth nerve -- which involves both
hearing and balance -- seemed to be the most effective in improving behaviors,"
said Dr. David Clark.
Using a mask and headphones, the eye and ears of the kids are activated while
the device is moving. After 30 minutes, the children are then asked to work on
a computer to practice the ability to concentrate.
"The typing is to help give some practice in doing something useful with this
improved state of alertness and ability to focus attention," said Clark.
Some of the kids seem to be showing improvement, and doctors are hoping that
enough stimulation of the nerve may retrain or reset the brain to respond
appropriately.
"If it works, it could be a permanent kind of change that doesn't require
continuing to take medication over a long period of time," said Clark.