COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL THERAPY FOR PATIENTS WITH ELECTRIC SENSITIVITY -A MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH IN A CONTROLLED-STUDY

Background: Electric sensitivity is a syndrome that still lacks diagno stic criteria and proven aetiology. The suffering of afflicted persons motivates development and evaluation of effective handling and treatm ents. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of cognitive beh avioural therapy in patients with electric sensitivity. Methods: Cogni tive behavioural treatment, as part of a multidisciplinary treatment p ackage for patients with electric sensitivity, was evaluated in a cont rolled trial. Ten patients who received treatment were compared to 12 controls. Outcome measures included different dimensions such as sympt oms, beliefs, behaviour, and biochemical measurements of stress-relate d variables. All outcome measures were collected prior to the study, p ost-treatment, and after an additional 6-month follow-up. Results: The therapy group rated their electric sensitivity as significantly lower than did the control group at the 6-month follow-up, and reduction of self-rated discomforts from triggering factors was significant in the therapy group. There were no systematic changes in the biochemical va riables. The symptom indices were significantly reduced over time, and ability to work continued to be good in both groups. Conclusion: The prognosis for this syndrome is good with early intervention and cognit ive therapy may further reduce the perceived hypersensitivity. This ma y have important implications on handling of patients with electric se nsitivity.