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EEG Biofeedback for Treatment of Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures (PNES) in Multiple Sclerosis: A Case Report

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Abstract

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of EEG biofeedback for treatment of psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) in a patient with multiple sclerosis. The patient was a 47-year-old female who has been experiencing several PNES types after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. She underwent 16 sessions of the EEG biofeedback over a period of two months. Following EEG biofeedback, the patient reported that her PNES attacks had stopped and the treatment resulted in significant abatement in her clinical seizure symptoms. The analysis of sensorimotor rhythm (SMR) values revealed reduction of psychogenic non-epileptic seizure. The Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and Word Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire (WHOQOL) were used before and after treatment. Decreased anxiety as well as increased quality of life was observed after treatment. Generally, the results indicated that EEG biofeedback was a useful procedure in treating PNES, promoting quality of life and reducing anxiety in our patient with multiple sclerosis.

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Acknowledgements

We respectfully appreciate the patient for participating in our research project.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Medical School, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

    Fereshteh Shakibaei

  2. University of Tabriz Division of Cognitive Neuroscience, Tabriz, Iran

    Saied Sabaghypour

  3. Department of Counseling, Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

    Farzaneh Fani Isfahani

  4. Payame Noor University, Isfahan, Iran

    Narges Darvishi Jazi

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  1. Fereshteh Shakibaei
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Correspondence to Saied Sabaghypour.

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Shakibaei, F., Sabaghypour, S., Isfahani, F.F. et al. EEG Biofeedback for Treatment of Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures (PNES) in Multiple Sclerosis: A Case Report. Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback 46, 175–181 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10484-020-09496-7

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