A psychosocial self-management program for epilepsy: A randomized pilot study in adults

Abstract

Objective The goal of the work described here was to develop and pilot a theoretically based self-management intervention in adults with epilepsy. Methods A randomized, controlled trial examined intervention effectiveness of a 6-week psychosocial intervention designed to improve self-efficacy and quality of life for 61 adults with diagnosed epilepsy. Measures included the Quality of Life in Epilepsy–89 inventory (QOLIE-89), the Washington Psychosocial Seizure Inventory (WPSI), a locus of control scale (LOC), and the Epilepsy Self-Efficacy Scale–2000 (ESES). Group differences were examined between groups using analysis of covariance. Results There was a significant improvement in the QOLIE-89 Role Limitations—Emotional score in the treatment group at follow-up, but no significant differences in overall quality of life. Strong and significant correlations were observed between outcome measures. Conclusion Although the intervention had little effect on improving overall quality of life, we observed promising trends in postintervention group comparisons linking self-efficacy and other psychosocial factors with quality of life. Intervention material can be modified for stage-based behavior change and retested in another study.