A Randomised Controlled Trial on the Effect of Viewing the Event in Psychogenic non epileptic Events (S44.010)

Abstract

<h3>Objective:</h3> To study the effect of viewing one’s event on psychological status in psychogenic non-epileptic events (PNEE) <h3>Background:</h3> PNEEs are bodily complaints due to unconscious mental conflict and the thoughts of which alters the psychological status adversely. Thus, when this sensitive diagnosis is delivered along with one’s own event, a better understanding of the illness brings harmony to internal milieu when coupled with psychotherapy. <h3>Design/Methods:</h3> This is a single centre prospective randomised controlled trial where patients diagnosed with PNEE in our epilepsy monitoring unit were randomised into intervention and control arm. Both the groups were given standard psychotherapy while the recorded event was shown to intervention arm alone. Event frequency and baseline psychological status using standard questionnaires (HADS and QOLIE - 31) was recorded at baseline and compared during follow up at 12 weeks. Paired t test was used to compare the results. <h3>Results:</h3> A total of 65 patients (31 intervention/34 control) were included in the study with similar baseline characteristics. The mean baseline per-week event frequency was 9.93 (16.7) and 11.78 (25.3) in intervention and control group respectively, which had fallen to 2.58 (4.65), p=0.731 and 1.58 (3.04), p=0.313 during 12 week follow up. HADS anxiety and depression scores improved significantly in both the groups while among QOLIE 31 components, seizure worry (p=0.008), overall quality of life (p&lt;0.001) and emotional well being (p&lt;0.003) in intervention arm. However, control arm had improvement in overall quality of life (p=0.003) and social effects (p=0.016) components. <h3>Conclusions:</h3> Event viewing, in addition to psychotherapy improves psychological status in PNEE especially with regard to seizure worry and emotional well being perhaps by improving self - acceptance of the diagnosis and increasing the engagement and adherence to psychotherapy. <b>Disclosure:</b> Dr. Priya has nothing to disclose. Dr. Radhakrishnan has nothing to disclose.