Neurobehavioral Therapy Is Associated With Improvements in Social Functioning in Patients With Functional Seizures...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Functional (nonepileptic) seizures (FS) often co-occur with traumatic brain injury (TBI).
• This co-occurrence negatively impacts social functioning.
• Limited research explores interventions for social deficits in TBI patients with FS.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between psychotherapy and changes in social functioning.
• To assess the efficacy of neurobehavioral therapy (NBT) in TBI patients with FS.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 96 adults with TBI was studied; 48 had FS and 48 did not.
• Both groups received standard medical care (SMC).
• The TBI+FS group received adjunctive 12-session NBT; social functioning was assessed using a quality of life scale at baseline and follow-up.

Main Results:

• Baseline seizure worry correlated significantly with baseline social functioning in the TBI+FS group.
• The TBI+FS group receiving NBT showed significant improvements in social functioning (QOLIE-31 Social Functioning score).
• NBT was linked to better social activities, reduced limitations, and increased work status, unlike SMC alone.

Conclusions:

• Seizure worry is a key factor in social functioning for TBI+FS patients and a potential intervention target.
• Multimodal NBT shows promise for improving social functioning in TBI+FS patients.
• Standard medical care alone does not appear to improve social functioning in TBI patients.