Report Title:

EEC Biofeedback; Attention Deficit Disorder, Recidivism

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the State of Hawaii faces substantial social and educational problems and significant financial costs due to children and youths suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (AD/HD), substance abuse, and criminal activity; and

WHEREAS, these children and youths do not outgrow these problems and continue to need costly mental health and substance abuse treatments; they may also have long-term involvement with the criminal corrections programs; and

WHEREAS, the recalcitrant nature of these problems is based upon brain disorders and dysfunction, whether acquired or genetic; and

WHEREAS, current treatment for AD/HD, whether by medication alone, or medication accompanied with behavior management, has not been demonstrated to be effective after treatment ends because the brain dysfunction has not been remedied; and

WHEREAS, current treatments for substance abuse experience high drop-out rates, as well as high relapse rates because the treatment does not address the brain dysfunction that results from substance abuse; and

WHEREAS, criminal recidivism, greater in prisoners with brain dysfunction, contributes to the burgeoning number of prisoners in Hawaii that necessitates transporting some prisoners to the mainland and building a new prison locally; and

WHEREAS, research has demonstrated that electroencephalograph (EEG) biofeedback, also called "neurofeedback" or "neurotherapy," effectively addresses brain injuries, dysfunction, and seizure disorders; and

WHEREAS, research has demonstrated that EEG biofeedback effectively addresses the core symptoms of AD/HD and the associated behavioral problems; and

WHEREAS, the benefits of EEG biofeedback are retained after treatment is completed; and

WHEREAS, treatment with neurofeedback does not expose children and youths to the stimulant medications used to treat AD/HD, which are controlled substances according to the United States Drug Enforcement Agency, and have not been demonstrated as safe for use by children; and

WHEREAS, research has demonstrated the efficacy of neurofeedback in alcoholic and substance abusing populations, including court-referred and felon populations; and

WHEREAS, research has also demonstrated the efficacy of EEG biofeedback in reducing substance abuse with a native population, the Diné, suggesting it would be helpful for other "native" populations; and

WHEREAS, the results of neurofeedback of substance abusers have also demonstrated sustained remission (full or partial) of substance abuse one to three years after treatment; and

WHEREAS, research has demonstrated the efficacy of neurotherapy in reducing recidivisim in felons with deep brain seizure disorders, sustained remission of substance abuse (clean urines), and error-free cooperation with a parole release program with felons with a substance abuse problem; and

WHEREAS, the American Association of Psychophysiology and Biofeedback (AAPB), an organization recognized by the American Psychological Association, has established appropriate standards for the practice of EEG biofeedback; and

WHEREAS, appropriate credentialing of neurofeedback providers has been developed and is being implemented by the Biofeedback Certification Institute of America, an independent credentialing body initially established by AAPB; and

WHEREAS, EEG biofeedback was not investigated in the Department of Health (DOH), Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division's "Report on Best Practices Research"; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2001, the Senate concurring, that DOH and the University of Hawaii are requested to study the advisability of adding EEG biofeedback to the roster of "Best Practices" treatments afforded children and youths in the State of Hawaii under the Felix consent decree; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that DOH is requested to submit a report of the findings, conclusions, and recommendations to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2002; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this report be transmitted to:

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, President of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Director of Health, Director of Public Safety, President of the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and the Superintendent of Education.

OFFERED BY: