Auricular acupuncture for the treatment of nonepileptic seizures: A pilot study.

Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) are episodes that resemble epileptic seizures but are not caused by electrical disturbances in the brain. These events are as common as multiple sclerosis and are notoriously difficult to treat, with no standard therapy currently available. Researchers conducted a pilot study to examine whether ear acupuncture (auricular acupuncture) could be a safe and effective treatment option for people with PNES.

The study enrolled 29 patients diagnosed with PNES from an epilepsy monitoring unit. Twenty-two participants began the treatment protocol, which included a four-week baseline period, followed by eight weeks of twice-weekly ear acupuncture sessions (16 total treatments), and then a four-week follow-up period. Participants kept daily seizure diaries throughout the 16-week study.

The results were encouraging. Most participants (91%) completed at least 12 of the 16 acupuncture sessions and successfully maintained their seizure diaries. Side effects were minimal, with only two participants withdrawing due to increased seizure frequency. More importantly, the study found a statistically significant reduction in seizure frequency during treatment. Over half of the participants (52%) experienced at least a 50% reduction in their seizure events, and three participants (14%) were completely seizure-free by the end of the study.

These findings suggest that ear acupuncture may be a well-tolerated treatment option for PNES, with effectiveness comparable to cognitive behavioral therapy. While this was a small pilot study and larger trials are needed, it offers hope for patients seeking alternatives to manage this challenging condition. If you're considering acupuncture for PNES, consult with a licensed acupuncturist experienced in treating neurological or mental health conditions.

This single-center pilot study evaluated auricular acupuncture for psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) treatment. Twenty-two subjects from 73 consecutive PNES diagnoses completed a 16-week protocol: four-week baseline, eight-week active treatment (twice weekly auricular acupuncture), and four-week washout. Primary endpoints assessed tolerability (completion of ≥12/16 treatments) and compliance (>80% diary completion). Both endpoints achieved 91% success rates. One-way repeated measures ANOVA demonstrated statistically significant seizure frequency reduction from baseline through treatment and washout periods (p=0.0083). Eleven of 21 subjects (52.3%) achieved ≥50% frequency reduction; three subjects (14%) became seizure-free. Adverse events were mild; two subjects withdrew due to increased PNES frequency. Clinical significance: Auricular acupuncture demonstrates comparable efficacy to cognitive behavioral therapy for PNES with excellent tolerability. This represents the first published investigation of auricular acupuncture for PNES treatment. Larger randomized controlled trials are warranted to establish treatment protocols and confirm these preliminary findings in this treatment-resistant population.