Is Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy a Good Fit for Psychogenic Nonepileptic Seizures?

CBT decreases the frequency of episodes, but more is needed to improve quality of life.

Several recent studies have focused on the problem of psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES). Now, researchers have examined the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for PNES in a randomized, controlled trial. Sixty-six patients were randomized to standard medical care (SMC), alone or with CBT (mean age, 37; 50 women). Almost all had comorbid psychiatric disorders or problems. Up to 12 hourly CBT sessions with a trained therapist were offered weekly or biweekly for 4 months. CBT focused on interrupting the behavioral, physiologic, and cognitive responses experienced at the start of an episode. SMC involved appointments with a clinical neurologist.

CBT was associated with significantly greater decreases in seizure frequency than S…

Reviewing Author

Jonathan Silver, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesTextbook of Traumatic Brain Injury, 2nd and 3rd editions

Editorial BoardsUpToDate; Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesNorth American Brain Injury Association (Board Member); National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (Chair of Data Monitoring Safety Board for study of donepezil on cognition after traumatic brain injury)

Jonathan Silver, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesTextbook of Traumatic Brain Injury, 2nd and 3rd editions

Editorial BoardsUpToDate; Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience

Is Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy a Good Fit for Psychogenic Nonepileptic Seizures?

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Reviewing Author