Zhang Y, Wang JJ, Xing HY, Yan J. Neurofeedback for autism spectrum disorder: Current evidence, challenges, and future directions. World J Psychiatry 2026; 16(2): 114358 [DOI: 10.5498/wjp.v16.i2.114358]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Juan Yan, MD, Professor, Quality Control Office, Affiliated Mental Health Center and Hangzhou Seventh People’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 305 Tianmushan Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou 310013, Zhejiang Province, China. 294162939@qq.com
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Psychiatry
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Editorial
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This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Feb 19, 2026 (publication date) through Feb 2, 2026
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World Journal of Psychiatry
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2220-3206
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Baishideng Publishing Group Inc, 7041 Koll Center Parkway, Suite 160, Pleasanton, CA 94566, USA
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Zhang Y, Wang JJ, Xing HY, Yan J. Neurofeedback for autism spectrum disorder: Current evidence, challenges, and future directions. World J Psychiatry 2026; 16(2): 114358 [DOI: 10.5498/wjp.v16.i2.114358]
World J Psychiatry. Feb 19, 2026; 16(2): 114358 Published online Feb 19, 2026. doi: 10.5498/wjp.v16.i2.114358
Neurofeedback for autism spectrum disorder: Current evidence, challenges, and future directions
Yan Zhang, Jun-Jie Wang, Hao-Yu Xing, Juan Yan
Yan Zhang, Administration Office, Lishui Second People’s Hospital, Lishui 311402, Zhejiang Province, China
Jun-Jie Wang, Judicial Appraisal Institute, Affiliated Mental Health Center and Hangzhou Seventh People’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310013, Zhejiang Province, China
Hao-Yu Xing, Department of Medical Engineering, The Affiliated Mental Health Center and Hangzhou Seventh People’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310013, Zhejiang Province, China
Juan Yan, Quality Control Office, Affiliated Mental Health Center and Hangzhou Seventh People’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310013, Zhejiang Province, China
Co-first authors: Yan Zhang and Jun-Jie Wang.
Co-corresponding authors: Hao-Yu Xing and Juan Yan.
Author contributions: Zhang Y and Wang JJ contribute equally to this study as co-first authors; Xing HY and Yan J contribute equally to this study as co-corresponding authors; all authors contributed to the manuscript conception and design; Xing HY performed material preparation, data collection and analysis; Zhang Y, Wang JJ, and Xing HY wrote the first draft of the manuscript; all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript; all authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
Open Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Juan Yan, MD, Professor, Quality Control Office, Affiliated Mental Health Center and Hangzhou Seventh People’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 305 Tianmushan Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou 310013, Zhejiang Province, China. 294162939@qq.com
Received: September 17, 2025 Revised: October 24, 2025 Accepted: November 19, 2025 Published online: February 19, 2026 Processing time: 135 Days and 18.2 Hours
Abstract
Neurofeedback therapy (NFT) has emerged as a promising noninvasive intervention for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), targeting core symptoms such as social communication deficits and emotional dysregulation. This editorial synthesizes findings from recent studies, including Wang et al’s retrospective analysis (2025), which reported improvements in Social Responsiveness Scale and Aberrant Behavior Checklist scores following NFT combined with conventional therapy. Mechanistically, NFT may modulate prefrontal gamma-band activity, enhances neuroplasticity in social brain networks (e.g., default mode network, a brain network involved in social cognition), and optimizes cognitive processing via event-related potential changes (e.g., shortened P300 latency). Emerging trends include hybrid approaches (e.g., NFT with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and artificial intelligence-driven protocols). However, challenges persist in protocol standardization, long-term efficacy validation, and biomarker identification. Future research must prioritize large-scale randomized trials, neuromarker discovery, and individualized protocols to establish NFT as a viable component of precision psychiatry for ASD.
Core Tip: Neurofeedback therapy (NFT), a non-invasive technique using real-time electroencephalography feedback to self-regulate brain activity, may offer benefits for neural dysregulation in autism spectrum disorder. However, current evidence is limited by small sample sizes and protocol variability. While NFT could potentially enhance neuroplasticity and complement behavioral therapies, its clinical application requires validation through rigorous randomized controlled trials. Future work should focus on personalizing protocols based on biomarkers and improving accessibility via telehealth solutions.
