Report Title:

Study on EEG Biofeedback; ADD/HDD, substance Abuse

WHEREAS, EEG biofeedback, also called neurofeedback or neurotherapy, was not investigated in the CAMHD Report on Best Practices Research; and

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

WHEREAS, children and youth suffering from attention disorders, substance abuse, and criminal behavior do not outgrow these problems and continue to utilize costly mental health and substance abuse treatments and may have long-term involvement with 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 -- medication alone, and/or medication accompanied with behavioral management -- has not been demonstrated to be effective after treatment ends because the brain dysfunction has not been remediated; and

WHEREAS, current treatment for substance abuse suffers from high treatment drop-out rates as well as high relapse rates because these treatments do not address the brain dysfunction resulting from substance abuse; and

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

WHEREAS, research demonstrated the EEG biofeedback 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 results of EEG biofeedback are retained after treatment is completed; and

WHEREAS, treatment with neurofeedback does not expose children and youth to the stimulant medications used to treat AD/HD, which are controlled substances according to the DEA, and which have not demonstrated safety when used with children; and

WHEREAS, research has demonstrated the efficacy of neurofeedback with alcoholic and substance abuse with a native population suggesting it would be helpful for other native populations; and

WHEREAS, the result of neurofeedback of substance abusers has 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 recidivism with felons with deep brain seizure disorders and sustained remission of substance abuse and error-free cooperation with a parole release program with felons with a substance abuse problem; and

WHEREAS, appropriate standards for the practice of EEG biofeedback have been established by the American Association of Psychophysiology and Biofeedback (AAPB-which is recognized by the American Psychology Association); and

WHEREAS, appropriate credentialing of neurofeedback providers has been developed and is being implemented by the Biofeedback Certification Institute of America (BCIA), and independent credentialing body established by the AAPB; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-First Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2001, that the Department of Health with the assistance of the Clinical Psychology Department, University of Hawaii, is requested to study the advisability of adding EEG biofeedback to the roster of "Best Practices" treatments afforded children and youth in the State of Hawaii under the Felix consent decree; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Health 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 2002 Regular Session; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Health is requested to submit a report of the findings, conclusions, and recommendations to the Department of Human Services for consideration of benefit coverage under QUEST; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Health requested to submit a report of the findings, conclusions, and recommendations to the Department of Public Safety for consideration in program development; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Department of Health, Department of Human Services, Department of Public Safety, and the University of Hawaii, Clinical Psychology Department.