There is exciting news out of the medical field for those affected by ADHD. The FDA has approved the first non-medicinal, prescription-only device to treat ADHD in children ages 7-12.
The device (eTNS) is cellphone sized and attaches via a wire to a patch on the child’s forehead. It administers a low-level electrical pulse to the brain during sleep.
In trials, the eTNS provided a statistically significant reduction in children with diagnosed moderate to severe ADHD. Treatment results can be expected in 4 weeks.
Side Effects
The FDA will market the eTNS as a safe, non-drug option. Reported potential side effects are as follows:
- Drowsiness
- Appetite Increase
- Sleeping difficulties
- Teeth Clenching
- Headaches
- Fatigue
Is This For You?
ADHD is the most commonly diagnosed behavioral disorder in children (1 in 7 children and teens). For parents who struggle with the decision to medicate their child for this disability, the eTNS may be an intriguing option. Although both medication and an external device both strive to alter the area of the brain that controls attention, emotion, and behavior, their mode of delivery is different.
Currently, the device is not covered by any insurance plan, requires a prescription, and costs approximately $1000.
With medical insurers currently declining to cover such treatment, given the costs, parents interested in non-stimulant treatment for ADHD arguably face a tough decision over whether to purchase a device whose sole study has found that “only slightly more than half of those receiving therapy have clinically meaningful improvement.” They may reasonably wonder whether a careful review of diet and exercise—including sugar- and caffeine-intake—wouldn’t yield more immediate results at a fraction of the cost.
-Psychology Today
Important Considerations
Parents of children in the 7 to 12 age group who have children who display symptoms of ADHD understand how difficult the diagnosis can be. The symptoms of ADHD mimic several other diagnosis that are more difficult to pinpoint in young children such as:
- Hypoglycemia
- Bipolar Mood Disorder
- Trauma
- Poor Sleep Habits/Sleep Disorders
- Sensory Processing Disorder
- Learning Disabilities
Regardless of diagnosis, parents want a treatment that will alleviate symptoms, reduce the impact of the disability, and will not cause debilitating side effects. Medical professionals, parents, and educators will be anxious to see if the eTNS can provide children with meaningful results.
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