Effects of a broad-spectrum behavior modification treatment program on children with refractory epileptic seizures.
A group of 18 children with refractory epileptic seizures was divided into three groups--behavior modification treatment, attention control, and control groups--with the purpose of investigating the effects of a learning-based broad-spectrum treatment program superimposed on a regular medical treatment program. The design consisted of a 10-week baseline, 6-week intervention, and 10-week and 1-year follow-ups. A combination of number of seizures and seizure duration--termed "seizure index"--was used as a dependent measure. There was a significant reduction in seizure index only for those children receiving the behavior modification treatment, at both follow-ups. The results indicate that this behavioral treatment program may be of substantial help to children with epilepsy who are resistant to conventional drug therapy.
D000293:Adolescent; D001288:Attention; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D002648:Child; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male