A neurobehavioral treatment for unilateral complex partial seizure disorders: A comparison of right- and left-hemisphere patients

This study looked at the efficacy of a multi-disciplinary neurobehavioral a pproach for treating patients with complex partial seizure disorders. Patie nts with a seizure focus in either the left or right hemisphere were compar ed for overall effectiveness of this approach in achieving control of compl ex partial seizures. Patients in this study received short-term treatment b ased on a model of self-control developed by the Andrews/Reiter Epilepsy Re search Program. This research selected all patients who met the lateralization criterion fr om among cases receiving short-term treatment between 1992 and 1996. Forty- four patients were identified, a group of 21 right-hemisphere subjects and a second group of 23 left-hemisphere subjects. These patients were treated in a short-term (5 consecutive days) treatment protocol and then released, with weekly phone contact for 6 months following treatment. They were then followed for an additional 19 months through the continued submission of th eir seizure logs and journals. Subjects in both groups kept seizure records throughout the study starting with a two-month baseline period. Other data collected allowed study of the interaction of emotional states with seizur e occurrence. This project produced valuable and relevant information regarding neurobeha vioral management interventions as an effective adjunctive or alternative t reatment for obtaining seizure control in epilepsy patients. Overall, 79% o f patients treated achieved seizure control. More than 64% identified a rec ognizable emotional state that triggered seizures. The emotional trigger wa s specific for either the right or left hemisphere. (C) 2000 BEA Trading Lt d.