Sensorimotor rhythm feedback training and epilepsy: some methodological and conceptual issues

This study examined the hypothesis that the enhancement of a 12-16 Hz sensorimotor rhythm in the EEG is inhibitory to epileptic seizure activity. The effects of training to enhance 12-16 Hz central EEG, to enhance 8-10 Hz central EEG, to suppress high voltage EEG activity, and of random feedback were compared over a period of 12 months in three adult patients suffering from chronic, drug-refractory epilepsy. All three patients experienced a significant reduction in seizure rate by the end of the study, but this was not related to any one particular training condition. It is suggested that the therapeutic mechanism might involve placebo effects, relaxation training, or a facilitation of EEG desynchronization, the effect being idiosyncratic to the individual patient.