Clinical efficacy of galvanic skin response biofeedback training in reducing seizures in adult epilepsy: a preliminary randomized controlled study

Epilepsy Behav. 2004 Apr;5(2):216-23. doi: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2003.12.003.

Abstract

We investigated the effect of galvanic skin response (GSR) biofeedback training on seizure frequency in patients with treatment-resistant epilepsy. Eighteen patients with drug-refractory epilepsy were randomly assigned either to an active GSR biofeedback group (n = 10) or to a sham control biofeedback group (n = 8). Biofeedback training significantly reduced seizure frequency in the active biofeedback group (P = 0.017), but not the control group (P > 0.10). This was manifest as a significant between-group difference in seizure reduction (P 0.01). Furthermore, there was a correlation between degree of improvement in biofeedback performance and reduction of seizure frequency (rho = 0.736, P = 0.001), confirming that the effect of biofeedback treatment was related to physiological change. Our findings highlight the potential therapeutic value of GSR biofeedback in reducing seizure frequency in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Arousal / physiology
  • Biofeedback, Psychology / methods*
  • Biofeedback, Psychology / physiology
  • Cerebral Cortex / physiopathology
  • Electroencephalography
  • Epilepsies, Myoclonic / physiopathology
  • Epilepsies, Myoclonic / therapy
  • Epilepsy / physiopathology
  • Epilepsy / therapy*
  • Epilepsy, Absence / physiopathology
  • Epilepsy, Absence / therapy
  • Epilepsy, Complex Partial / physiopathology
  • Epilepsy, Complex Partial / therapy
  • Epilepsy, Generalized / physiopathology
  • Epilepsy, Generalized / therapy
  • Epilepsy, Tonic-Clonic / physiopathology
  • Epilepsy, Tonic-Clonic / therapy
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Galvanic Skin Response / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Single-Blind Method
  • Sympathetic Nervous System / physiopathology
  • Treatment Outcome