Long-term effects of electrodermal biofeedback training on seizure control in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy: two case reports.
We report data from two patients, followed over 3 years after electrodermal biofeedback treatment. Patients were trained three times each week for four weeks to increase their sympathetic arousal using electrodermal biofeedback. This treatment was directed at enabling the patients to change their psychophysiological state as a countermeasure to prevent seizures. Both patients voluntarily kept a record of seizure frequency over the year preceding the treatment and continued to record their seizures for up to 3 years after the termination of biofeedback treatment. Both patients showed a marked reduction in seizure frequency (54.9% and 59.8%) during the month of biofeedback treatment. This improvement was maintained over the subsequent years. We highlight the therapeutic potential of biofeedback interventions that enable patients to volitionally control their state of physiological arousal in the management of drug-resistant epilepsy.
Psychiatry, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, United Kingdom; Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, Institute of Neurology, University College London, United Kingdom. Electronic address: y.nagai@bsms.ac.uk.
Yoko
Y
Nagai
Department of Neuropsychiatry, Institute of Neurology, University College London, United Kingdom.
Michael R
MR
Trimble
D000293:Adolescent; D001676:Biofeedback, Psychology / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D004351:Drug Resistance; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000379:methods; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D005712:Galvanic Skin Response / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D012640:Seizures / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
Biofeedback; Drug resistant epilepsy; Electrodermal activity