TY - JOUR
T1 - Behavioral intervention as an add-on therapy in epilepsy
T2 - Designing a clinical trial
AU - Polak, Emily L.
AU - Privitera, Michael D.
AU - Lipton, Richard B.
AU - Haut, Sheryl R.
N1 - Funding Information:
The authors gratefully acknowledge the support from the Shor Foundation for Epilepsy Research .
PY - 2012/12
Y1 - 2012/12
N2 - Many patients with epilepsy continue to experience seizures despite taking medication, and stress is a commonly reported trigger for seizures in these individuals. Therefore, a behavioral therapy proven to be effective in epilepsy could be a valuable adjunct to current pharmacotherapy. The challenges in testing such a behavioral intervention for epilepsy are numerous, including lack of consensus about sham designs, maintaining the blind, and powering the study absent known effect sizes. Herein, we present the design of a randomized, controlled, double-blind trial of progressive muscle relaxation as an add-on therapy for refractory epilepsy. Progressive muscle relaxation, which involves the tensing and releasing of muscle groups one at a time, is a well-established technique that relaxes the body and mind, reduces stress, and may improve seizure control. Study design issues discussed may provide insights that will inform future behavioral research in epilepsy.
AB - Many patients with epilepsy continue to experience seizures despite taking medication, and stress is a commonly reported trigger for seizures in these individuals. Therefore, a behavioral therapy proven to be effective in epilepsy could be a valuable adjunct to current pharmacotherapy. The challenges in testing such a behavioral intervention for epilepsy are numerous, including lack of consensus about sham designs, maintaining the blind, and powering the study absent known effect sizes. Herein, we present the design of a randomized, controlled, double-blind trial of progressive muscle relaxation as an add-on therapy for refractory epilepsy. Progressive muscle relaxation, which involves the tensing and releasing of muscle groups one at a time, is a well-established technique that relaxes the body and mind, reduces stress, and may improve seizure control. Study design issues discussed may provide insights that will inform future behavioral research in epilepsy.
KW - Alternative therapy
KW - Electronic diary
KW - Epilepsy
KW - Progressive muscle relaxation
KW - Seizure precipitants
KW - Stress reduction
KW - Trial design
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84871825588&partnerID=8YFLogxK
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U2 - 10.1016/j.yebeh.2012.09.012
DO - 10.1016/j.yebeh.2012.09.012
M3 - Review article
C2 - 23153715
AN - SCOPUS:84871825588
SN - 1525-5050
VL - 25
SP - 505
EP - 510
JO - Epilepsy and Behavior
JF - Epilepsy and Behavior
IS - 4
ER -