The psychological impact of a newly diagnosed seizure: Losing and restoring perceived control

Skin conductance biofeedback training in adults with drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy and stress-triggered seizures: A proof-of-concept study

“…Secondly, biofeedback could be efficacious apart from specific effects because of learned self-regulation of a physiological activity. The information given to the patients about the neurophysiological background of epilepsy, the proposition to treat them with a psychophysiological and a electrophysiological method, as well as the therapeutic relationship established once a week during 12 weeks all likely contributed to the positive effects of the training, since positive expectations and the experience of self-efficacy are important nonspecific variables in biofeedback [46] and the clinical course of epilepsy [14,15]. Moreover, the improvements in anxiety, negative affect, and depressed mood symptoms in our study could be an intermediate variable to explain the effect of biofeedback in seizure frequency.…”

“…Firstly, by steady feedback, its use can restore perceived control in the participants [12], which is known to be a significant variable in the psychological impact of epilepsy [13]. Indeed, pervasive loss of control has been associated with a negative effect on seizure control [14] and with a low quality of life [15]. Secondly, biofeedback is more than a psychological treatment because it enables the participant, by online feedback to a covert physiological activity, to actively learn self-directed strategies to obtain and control a physiological response.…”

Psychosocial difficulties in people with epilepsy: A systematic review of literature from 2005 until 2010

“…One of the studies reported with limited evidence that psychological therapy increases the levels of locus of control in patients with epilepsy, when compared with healthy controls [48]. Limited evidence was found in another study that reported that better scores in tests of locus of control can be achieved by increasing psychological adjustment to the health condition [49]. People with epilepsy usually need some time to accept and settle into the disease as well as to adjust to its consequences: with time, however, the sense of control of seizures increases.…”

Improving the uptake of pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with COPD:

“…23 Chan 24 noted that patients used occupational therapy as a means of taking control of COPD and re-engaging in activities. Losing and regaining control is reported in patients with COPD, 25 those who undergo cardiac rehabilitation, 26 and those who suffer seizures.…”