epileptic seizures
Research Papers
EEG biofeedback and relaxation training in the control of epileptic seizures
Research utilizing sensorimotor rhythm (SMR) biofeedback with epileptics suggests that it is useful in decreasing seizures. Subjects were 6 young adults with a diagnosis of epilepsy of at least two years who had been unable to control their seizures with different regimens of anticonvulsant medications. Subjects ranged from severely mentally handicapped to above average functioning. Seizure type, frequency, and duration were recorded by subjects and caretakers. Measures of operant learning were percent time in SMR. The experiment utilized a single subject multiple baseline design which consisted of 6 phases: baseline one, relaxation training; baseline two, biofeedback training one; baseline three, biofeedback treatment two and follow-up. The results of this study are in agreement with other studies using SMR biofeedback. All subjects were able to significantly increase percent time in SMR. Five out of the 6 subjects demonstrated decreases in seizure frequency during the treatment phase. Two of the 6 subjects benefited from relaxation training. Four subjects demonstrated significant negative correlations between percent SMR and seizure rates. Consistent with other studies utilizing multiple baseline designs, a majority of the subjects did not follow the design of the study.
View Full Paper →Recent Developments in the Diagnosis and Therapy of Epilepsy
Recent advances in the diagnosis of epilepsy include the development of a clinically useful classification of epileptic seizures and the recognition of specific epileptic disorders. These advances have been aided by the advent of x-ray computed tomography, long-term electroencephalographic telemetry, and video monitoring. Techniques for functional imaging of the human brain promise even greater diagnostic capabilities. New antiepileptic drugs have improved medical management, and technical and theoretical advances in pharmacokinetics have permitted physicians to design balanced dosing for individual patients. Although currently underused, surgical treatment of partial complex epilepsy can be safe and effective when used appropriately. Operant conditioning of electroencephalography may become another practical alternative therapy. Contributions of basic research to understanding the complications of status epilepticus have influenced treatment protocols and greatly improved the prognosis of this potentially lethal condition.
View Full Paper →Reducing Epileptic Seizures Through Operant Conditioning of Central Nervous System Activity: Procedural Variables
Operant conditioning of the sensorimotor rhythm of the human electroencephalogram with time-outs contingent on epileptiform activity reduces epileptic seizure rates in patients whose seizures are not well controlled by medication. A comparison of this procedure with time-out training alone demonstrates that operant conditioning of the sensorimotor rhythm is neither necessary nor sufficient for seizure reduction.
View Full Paper →Reduction of seizures and normalization of the EEG in a severe epileptic following sensorimotor biofeedback training: Preliminary study
Sensorimotor rhythm (SMR) biofeedback training was attempted in a 13-year-old male with frequent epileptic seizures. Prior to training the subject was averaging almost eight clinical seizures an hour. The SMR filter was tuned sharply to 12 ± 1 Hz. Feedback was conducted over approximately six months and continues to the present. In that time the subject's percentage of SMR increased from about 10%, prior to training, to 65% after the 34th training session. Correspondingly, his rate of clinical seizures decreased by a factor of 10 and a significant reduction in percentage of epileptiform discharges was noted. Beginning with trial 35, the subject was provided feedback of epileptiform activity in combination with 12 Hz activity. The combined effect of these two treatment variables was to reduce the trial-to-trial variance in the dependent variables of interest.
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