DopaDone Neuro Toolkit
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Skip brain-training apps and neurofeedback

Brain-training games, the hundreds of ADHD apps, and EEG neurofeedback don't improve daily-life executive functioning — people get better at the game, but the gains don't transfer to where the deficit actually shows up. Spend your time and money on supports that work at the point of performance instead.

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It is tempting to reach for a brain-training game, one of the hundreds of ADHD apps, or EEG neurofeedback in the hope of strengthening the underlying brain. The evidence is consistent and disappointing: people do get better at the trained task, but the improvement stays tied to that task and fails to generalize to executive functioning in real daily life — which is exactly where the ADHD deficit causes problems. Neurofeedback is, in practice, another form of game-based training and shares the same failure to transfer.

The takeaway is not ‘nothing helps’ but ‘put effort where it lands’. The interventions that actually reduce impairment are medication and supports engineered at the point of performance — externalized reminders, visible timers, immediate rewards, environmental accommodations — not abstract cognitive exercises done away from the situation. Treat ‘train the brain’ products as low-yield, and redirect the time, attention and money toward changing the real situations where behaviour breaks down. (Evidence: Russell Barkley.)

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What the research says

Scientific grade verified against the literature. No entries = no direct studies (graded from mechanism/experience).

What the grade means

A A — strongest evidence: meta-analyses or RCTs directly confirm it works (or, for diagnostic tools, strong validation of accuracy).
B B — good evidence: a single RCT, or a strong mechanism with supporting studies.
C C — weak / preliminary: a plausible mechanism, but few direct, controlled tests.
D D — no evidence: theory or isolated anecdotes, no studies.
Applies to: ADHD AuDHD