Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures in children – psychophysiology & dissociative characteristics, 2020, Sawchuk et al

Andy · Nov 11, 2020

The purpose of this study was to determine psychophysiology and dissociative characteristics of psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) in a clinical pediatric setting.

A retrospective chart review was conducted over a 5-year period that included children meeting criteria for probable, clinically established or documented PNES. Of these, 33 patients (81%) underwent psychophysiology assessment as part of standardized care and were selected for study inclusion. Ages ranged from 10 to 17 years inclusive (70% female). The majority of patients were found to have some form of autonomic decompensation at baseline (82%) and lack of autonomic recovery from a cognitive stressor (58%). Inhibition of electrodermal skin response to laboratory stressor was associated with significantly longer duration of PNES illness (t=2.65, p=.013), while elevated heart rate (above 90th percentile) was associated with significantly higher frequency of PNES events in the month preceding diagnosis (t=3.1, p=.004). High levels of dissociation and hyperventilation symptoms were self-reported by adolescent patients (n=19) with a moderate degree of positive association (r=0.35, p=.038). The majority of patients (n= 25, 89%) were taught to correct respiratory CO2 levels during a single biofeedback training session.

Conclusions: Child PNES populations appear to be characterized by chronic autonomic hyperarousal reflecting severity of their symptoms, which can feasibly be targeted for behavioral treatment.
Click to expand...

Paywall, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165178120332054
Sci hub, https://sci-hub.se/10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113544

Sid · Nov 13, 2020

"The majority of patients (n= 25, 89%) were taught to correct respiratory CO2 levels during a single biofeedback training session."

And? Did it cure them?

Amw66 · Nov 13, 2020

Sid said: ↑

"The majority of patients (n= 25, 89%) were taught to correct respiratory CO2 levels during a single biofeedback training session."

And? Did it cure them?
Click to expand...

Depends on how you define " cure"

MFraumeni · Nov 13, 2020

Amw66 said: ↑

Depends on how you define " cure"
Click to expand...

Yes, I sometimes wonder if the word "cure" is mistaken for "dormant" by some authors.

Log in or Sign up

Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures in children – psychophysiology & dissociative characteristics, 2020, Sawchuk et al

Andy Committee Member

Sid Senior Member (Voting Rights)

Amw66 Senior Member (Voting Rights)

MFraumeni Established Member

Share This Page

Log in or Sign up

Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures in children – psychophysiology & dissociative characteristics, 2020, Sawchuk et al

Andy Committee Member

Sid Senior Member (Voting Rights)

Amw66 Senior Member (Voting Rights)

MFraumeni Established Member

Share This Page

Useful Searches