Aura interruption: The Andrews/Reiter behavioral intervention may reduce seizures and improve quality of life - A pilot trial

S. M. Elsas, W. L. Gregory, G. White, G. Navarro, M. C. Salinsky, D. J. Andrews

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

23 Scopus citations

Abstract

Patients with epilepsy frequently experience depression and emotional stress and these may function as seizure triggers in epileptogenic frontotemporal cortex, which serves in emotional processing. Eight patients enrolled in a pilot trial of a 6-month epilepsy-specific behavioral approach comprising counseling and relaxation to recognize and eliminate emotional seizure triggers. Potential participants with psychogenic seizures were excluded by long-term EEG and/or the MMPI profile. One participant became seizure free, another had an approximately 90% reduction in seizures, and two additional participants achieved a greater than 50% reduction in seizure frequency (total responder rate = 50%), stable during 6. months of observation after the intervention. All completers showed marked and stable improvement of quality of life (Quality of Life in Epilepsy-89 inventory) and temporary improvement in the Profile of Mood States. An adequately powered randomized controlled trial is needed to confirm our findings, which suggest that behavioral approaches may hold promise for motivated patients with epilepsy.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)765-772
Number of pages8
JournalEpilepsy and Behavior
Volume22
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2011

Keywords

  • Aura interruption
  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy
  • Counseling
  • Relaxation
  • Seizure trigger
  • Self-control
  • Self-efficacy
  • Sham control

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Neurology
  • Clinical Neurology
  • Behavioral Neuroscience

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