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Related Experiment Videos

Behavioral management of conversion disorder: retrospective study

J Speed1

  • 1Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City 84132, USA.

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
|February 1, 1996
PubMed
Summary

Behavioral treatment effectively resolves conversion disorder symptoms, with longer symptom duration correlating to longer recovery times. This approach offers durable symptom resolution for patients.

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Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Psychiatry
  • Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

  • Conversion disorder, characterized by neurological symptoms without a clear organic cause, presents significant challenges in treatment.
  • Operant behavioral therapy offers a potential avenue for managing conversion disorder symptoms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effectiveness and durability of operant behavioral treatment for conversion disorder.
  • To determine if the duration of symptoms predicts the time needed for resolution.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective case series of 10 inpatients with conversion disorder (gait-related symptoms).
  • Involved inpatient behavioral treatment, physical therapy, and psychological support.
  • Assessed using Functional Independence Measure ambulation scores at admission, discharge, and follow-up.

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Main Results:

  • All patients achieved normal ambulation before discharge (p = .002).
  • 7 of 9 patients maintained normal ambulation at follow-up (mean 20 months).
  • A significant positive correlation (r=0.68, p=.0298) was found between symptom duration and treatment time.

Conclusions:

  • Operant behavioral treatment is effective for conversion disorder, providing clinically significant and durable symptom resolution.
  • Longer symptom duration is a negative prognostic indicator, requiring more time for effective treatment.