Research › Epilepsy & Seizures
Reduction of Seizure Occurrence from Exposure to Auditory Stimulation in Individuals with Neurological Handicaps: A Randomized Controlled Trial
STS Instructor Authored by Robert Turner
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Study at a glance
- Area
- Epilepsy & Seizures
- Study type
- Randomized controlled trial
- Authors
- Bodner M, Turner RP, Schwacke J, Bowers C, Norment C
- Journal
- PLoS ONE
- Year
- 2012
- Protocol
- passive nightly auditory stimulation (specific music)
- Sessions
- nightly music exposure during sleep for 1 year
Key findings
- Seizures fell 24% in the music group during the treatment year
- A 33% reduction persisted during the follow-up year after music stopped
- 24% of treated residents had no seizures at all during treatment
- Points to a possible non-drug, non-invasive add-on treatment for epilepsy
This three-year randomised controlled trial at a South Carolina residential centre for people with neurological impairments tested whether nightly passive listening to a specific piece of music, chosen from earlier work for its anti-epileptic effects on the EEG, could reduce seizures. After a baseline year, residents were randomly assigned to hear the music at intervals while asleep or to continue usual medication without music; the music was then stopped and seizures were followed for a further year. The music group had significantly fewer seizures during treatment and the reduction lasted through follow-up.