For years, advanced brain-training for ADHD relied on technology available only in research laboratories. Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy—better known as fNIRS—was one of those tools. It allowed scientists to look deep into the brain’s prefrontal cortex and measure how hard attention circuits were working in real time. It was powerful, expensive, and completely out of reach for everyday families.

That world has changed.

With the arrival of devices like the Muse S Athena, what once belonged to neuroscience labs and academic centres is finally reaching homes and clinics. ADHD brain training is entering a new era—more precise, more accessible, and more grounded in the biology that actually matters.

Let’s dive into why this shift is such a big deal.

Why fNIRS Matters for ADHD

Most people think ADHD is about distractibility or impulsiveness. In reality, the core issue lies in how the prefrontal cortex activates during effort.

Research shows:

• ADHD brains often under-activate when trying to focus

• they fatigue quickly during mental tasks

• they struggle to sustain cognitive effort

• emotional stress can “shut down” prefrontal activation

• activation patterns vary widely from child to child

Traditional EEG neurofeedback focuses on brainwave rhythms. Useful, yes—but incomplete.

fNIRS gives something EEG never could:
a real-time map of how the brain’s attention centre is actually functioning.

It shows not just activity, but effort. Not just waves, but oxygen flow. Not just electrical speed, but neural workload.

For ADHD, this is gold.

Until Now, fNIRS Was Only Available in Labs

Here’s what fNIRS used to require:

• bulky headgear

• expensive hardware

• dedicated dark rooms

• advanced computers

• trained technicians

• research-grade calibration

This meant only universities and high-end neuroscience labs could run fNIRS training sessions.

It was accurate, insightful, and powerful—but absolutely impractical for daily use.

ADHD, however, needs consistency, not occasional lab visits.
The brain changes with regular practice, not once-a-month measurements.

This is where Muse S Athena has changed the game.

How Muse S Athena Brings Lab-Level Brain Science Home

The Muse S Athena is not just an EEG headset.
Its upgraded sensor array, comfort design, and integration with modern neurofeedback platforms allow something extraordinary:

home-based brain training informed by fNIRS-level insights.

This doesn’t mean the device is a full fNIRS system.
But it allows clinicians to:

• assess prefrontal activation patterns

• monitor improvements

• personalise training

• target underactive regions

• bring precision protocols directly to children and adults at home

The training uses the same principles that fNIRS research discovered—only now delivered in a wearable, comfortable headband rather than a laboratory helmet.

What required tens of lakhs of rupees in equipment is now achievable from a living room couch.

That is the revolution.

What This Means for ADHD Treatment

1. Precision Training, Not Guesswork

Instead of generic ADHD neurofeedback protocols, clinicians can now target:

• working memory circuits

• attention-control networks

• emotional regulation pathways

• daytime arousal rhythms

This aligns treatment with the actual biology of ADHD, not outdated ideas about “theta/beta ratios.”

2. Daily Training Is Finally Feasible

ADHD brains learn through repetition.

Muse S Athena makes it possible to:

• train every day

• build steady neural habits

• sustain gains over months

• reinforce prefrontal activation patterns

This consistency was nearly impossible in lab-based systems.

3. The Prefrontal Cortex Can Now Be Trained at Home

With fNIRS-informed neurofeedback, children and adults can practice:

• sustaining attention

• resisting impulsive shifts

• improving task engagement

• strengthening mental stamina

The prefrontal cortex becomes stronger through the same principle as muscle training—regular activation, guided feedback, and gradually increasing difficulty.

4. Better Outcomes for Inattentive ADHD

Many children with inattentive ADHD don’t show obvious behavioural hyperactivity—but their prefrontal cortex simply doesn’t activate strongly.

Home-based training lets them strengthen these circuits in a gentle, structured way.

5. A Major Step for Adults With ADHD

Adults often can’t attend frequent clinic sessions due to work schedules.
Muse S Athena gives them:

• flexible timing

• professional supervision

• objective progress tracking

• discreet home-based sessions

Finally, adults can train the part of the brain that supports productivity, emotional control, and focus—with zero disruption to their lifestyle.

The Bottom Line

fNIRS changed how scientists understand ADHD.
Muse S Athena has changed who gets to benefit from it.

We are entering a new generation of brain training—one where families no longer depend on bulky lab equipment to build focus, improve emotional regulation, or strengthen prefrontal circuits.

What was once limited to research labs is now available at home.
And for children, teens, and adults living with ADHD, that shift is nothing short of transformative.

For ADHD Brain Training, Muse S Athena & Neurofeedback Programs

Dr. Srinivas Rajkumar T, MD (AIIMS), DNB, MBA (BITS Pilani)
Consultant Psychiatrist & Neurofeedback Specialist
Mind & Memory Clinic, Apollo Clinic Velachery (Opp. Phoenix Mall)
✉ srinivasaiims@gmail.com 📞 +91-8595155808