Table 3 Study description
From: Mindfulness-based interventions in epilepsy: a systematic review
Study | Country | Follow-up Period | Intervention |
|---|---|---|---|
Thompson et al. (2010) [34] | USA | 8 weeks | • Based on Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy • Hour long sessions for eight weeks • Delivered via telephone or internet • Groups of six to eight participants • Facilitated by layperson with epilepsy and Master of Public Health Student Research Assistant – supervised by a licensed clinical psychologist. Mindfulness teaching certification/experience level not clear. • Sessions consisted of: check-in, instruction (video instruction – internet) skill building, discussion, homework assignment • Course content: attention to breath, sights and sounds; other meditations; body scan; progressive muscular relaxation; thought monitoring, identifying cognitive distortions, self-esteem, problem identification, goal-setting, identifying supports. • All participants had access to session materials and CD of relaxation and meditation exercises. Internet participants had access to online discussion forums. • Homework assignments given including monitoring thoughts, changing thoughts, practicing relaxation exercises, meditation exercises and mindfulness. Duration not specified. |
Thompson et al. (2015) [35] | USA | 10 weeks | • Based on Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, was script-based • Hour long sessions for eight weeks • Delivered via telephone or internet • 22 groups of up to seven participants • Facilitated by an adult with epilepsy and a graduate student with Mental Health Concentration in Public Health. Supervised by a licensed clinical psychologist and Associate Professor of Behavioural Sciences. Mindfulness teaching certification/experience level not clear, however four hours of training provided • Sessions consisted of: check-in period, teaching on topic of that week’s session, group discussion, skill-building exercise, homework assignment • Course content: knowledge about depression; monitoring and challenging, and changing thoughts; coping and relaxing; attention and mindfulness; focusing on pleasure; importance of reinforcement; preventing relapse. • Internet participants had access to archive of sessions and a discussion board. • Homework assignments given, duration not specified |
Tang et al. (2015) [36] | China (Hong Kong) | 6 weeks | • Mindfulness Therapy (experiential, progressive training on mindfulness techniques) plus social support • Four 2.5 hour bi-weekly sessions • Delivered in person • Groups of seven to eight participants • Facilitated by clinical psychologist. Mindfulness teaching certification/experience level not clear. • Course content: Knowledge and management of epilepsy; mind-body connection; Mindful breathing, eating, listening, observing; body scan; non-judgemental attitude, variation of thoughts, thought labelling. • All participants received an educational package on basic knowledge and management of epilepsy • 45 minutes of daily mindfulness practice encouraged. Homework assignments included recording thoughts and bodily sensation associated with recurrent seizure attack |