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Effects of sham feedback following successful SMR training in an epileptic

Follow-up study

  • Case Reports And Training Techniques
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Abstract

After 1 year of SMR biofeedback training of a severe epileptic teenage male, incidence of atonic seizures decreased from 8/hr to less than 1/3 hr. SMR increased from 10% to 70%. Epileptiform discharges decreased from 45% to 15%. Unknown to the patient, his family, or certain members of our research staff, noncontingent feedback was introduced on 7/22/74, ending 9/11/74. A significant decrease occurred for SMR(down 8%), and a significant increase for epileptiform discharges(up 4%). Rate of seizures increased, but was not statistically significant over preceding months of contingent feedback. Incidence of seizures associated with urine loss increased from approximately 6/month to 23/month during noncontingent feedback, a significant increase. Urine-loss results suggest that although seizures did not become more frequent, those the patient did experience were “harder,” i.e., more severe. Contingent feedback was reinstituted following the 7-wk sham, and recovery of all variables to their former levels(prior to sham) occurred.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Psychology Department, Children's Medical Center, P.O. Box 35648, 74135, Tulsa, Oklahoma

    William W. Finley

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  1. William W. Finley
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Finley, W.W. Effects of sham feedback following successful SMR training in an epileptic. Biofeedback and Self-Regulation 1, 227–235 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00998589

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00998589

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