Electrodermal biofeedback in treating psychogenic nonepileptic seizures

Abstract

Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures are operationally defined as episodes of altered movement very like epileptic seizures, but associated with psychological problems and not with ictal discharges. Children with psychogenic nonepileptic seizure (PNS) could be categorized either under somatoform in the ICD-10 or conversion disorders in DMS-IV. The history, psychometric evaluation and therapeutic approach concerning nonepileptic psychogenic seizures in a 13-year-old girl are presented and discussed. The novelty of the treatment is the electrodermal (EDR) biofeedback procedure combined with cognitive-behavioral therapy. We infered that biofeedback for PNE in pediatric patients is highly cost-effective, discriminative for the actual level of stress and gives good therapeutic results through enhancing self awareness and relaxation, when used in combination with standard psychometric and psychotherapeutic methods. The stabilization of the hypersensitivity, lower neurotic tendencies and emotional maturation were obtained after 10 sessions of EDR biofeedback, each with the duration of 45 minutes/day. Mean value of EDR before treatment was 4919 (+/- 145.5) and the last value obtained with training showed a mean value of 5400.8 (+/- 147.9) microOmega. The following controls showed no more attacks, stabilization of the neurotic tendencies, progression of the maturational process and good academic results.