Table 1 Summary of included papers
Author | Participants | Intervention (int.) | Facilitator | Control | Outcome measures | Main findings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aliasgharpour et al. [33] | 60 PWE randomised Aged 18–70 Diagnosed for ≥1 yr. Experienced seizures in the past year | 1 month educational int. Four 2 hr sessions Face-to-face lectures with case histories, demonstrations and information leaflets to take away Group size: 4–6. Discrete intervention | Master’s student in nursing | TAU | ESMS Pre-intervention and 1 month follow-up | Self-management score significantly improved in int. vs control |
Au et al. [37] | 17 adults with epilepsy (age range not specified) ≥ 2 seizures a month | 8 week psychological CBT int. Eight 2 hr structured sessions Group size: 8 Discrete intervention | 2 clinical psychologists trained in seizure management | TAU | QOLIE-31, ESES, seizure frequency 3 months pre-int. and 3 month follow-up | Significant improvement in QoL and self-efficacy scores in intervention group vs control No difference in seizure frequency |
Fraser et al. [35] | 83 PWE randomised Age ≥ 18 Diagnosed for ≥6 months | 8 week psychoeducational int. Eight 75 min sessions Presentations, facilitated discussion and workbook Group size: 6–8. Discrete int. | Rehabilitation psychologist and trained peer mentor | WC | QOLIE-31, ESMS, ESES, PHQ-9, GAD-7 Pre-int., 8 week and 6 month follow-up | QoL, self-efficacy and PHQ-9 scores improved at 8 weeks in int. group but not significant at 6 months. Self-management significantly improved at 6 months |
Helde et al. [29] | 111 PWE aged 16–70 Diagnosed for ≥1 yr. ≥ 1 seizure in the past yr | 1 day educational int. Information and discussion about epilepsy and psychosocial aspects Group size: 5–11 Additional input: telephone follow-up and 1–1 counselling from nurse | MDT (the study nurse, neurologist, social worker, and neurophysiologist) | TAU | QOLIE-89 and general patient satisfaction score Pre-randomisation and at 2 year follow-up | Significant improvement in QoL score in int. group at follow-up but no sig difference between int. and control Significant increase in satisfaction in int. vs control |
Ibinda et al. [34] | 738 PWE randomised 581 data analysed ≥ 1 seizure in the past yr | 1 day educational int. Information about epilepsy provided using role play, discussion, narratives and brochure on the topics was given Group size: up to 20. Discrete int. | Non-specific ‘researchers and field staff’ | WC | AED adherence, seizure frequency, KEBAS (Kilifi epilepsy beliefs and Attitudes scores) Pre-int. and after 1 year follow-up | Significantly improved KEBAS scores in int. vs control at follow-up. No difference in adherence or seizure frequency between the groups (both improved significantly) |
Losada-Comacho et al. [28] | 182 women with epilepsy randomised Age ≥ 18 Diagnosed ≥1 yr. ≥ 1 seizure in the past 3 yrs | Educational int. part of pharmaceutical care programme Monthly lectures and information brochures Group size: not specified Additional input: 1–1 medication reviews. Given adherence aids and seizure journals | Pharmacist trained in epilepsy management | TAU and seizure Information brochure | QOLIE-31, seizure frequency, adverse events,CES-D (depression), Haynes-Sackett and Morinski-Green tests (medication adherence) Pre-int. and after 6 month follow-up | Highly significant improvement in QoL score between int. and control groups at follow-up. Other outcomes not reported in the paper |
Lundgren et al. [30] | 27 PWE randomised Aged 21–55 ≥ 4 seizures in the past 3 months | Psychological ACT int. Two 3 hr sessions Group size: 6–8 Additional input: Two individual 90 min sessions, individualised seizure control techniques | 2 clinical psychologists | Supportive therapy | WHOQOL-BREF, SWLS, seizure index Pre-int, post-int, and at 6 month and 1 year follow-up | Significant improvement in seizure index at all time points post-int. in int. group vs control. Significant improvement in QoL scores in int. group after 1 year |
May and Pfafflin, [15] | 383 PWE randomised Age ≥ 16 Any duration or severity of epilepsy | 2 day educational int. Interactive course with 9 modules aiming to improve knowledge of epilepsy and psychosocial factors Group size: not specified. Discrete int. | Non-specific ‘trainers’ | TAU | SF-36, Depression Scale D-S′, Rosenberg self-esteem, stigma, restrictions due to epilepsy, epilepsy-related fears and mobility and leisure scales, specifically developed epilepsy knowledge and coping with epilepsy scales. Seizure frequency Pre-int. and 6 month follow-up | Significant improvement in knowledge and coping scales (specifically developed) in int. group. Significant improvement in seizure frequency in int. group. No impact on QoL (SF-36 score) |
McLaughlin and McFarland, [32] | 37 older adults with epilepsy Age ≥ 60 | 6 week psychological CBT int. Six 2 h sessions Spector et al. protocol, modified for older adults with less content and diaries to aid memory Group size: 6–7. Discrete int. | Psychologist with epilepsy expertise | Relaxation training | GDS, CIDI-auto, WPSI, seizure frequency Pre-int, post-int. and after 3 month follow-up | Significant improvement in seizure frequency in int. group vs control. No significant difference between groups in other measures but depression and psychosocial functioning improved in both. |
Olley et al. [36] | 30 PWE allocated to groups Aged 21–65 | 2 day psychoeducational int. Educational sessions and group discussion on epilepsy, stigma & management Group size: not specified. Discrete int. | Non-specific ‘researcher/therapist’ | WC | CCEI, BDI (psychological symptoms), knowledge about epilepsy Pre-int, post-int and after 2 month follow-up | Significant improvement in int. group vs control in psychological scales and increased knowledge about epilepsy at follow-up |
Pramuka et al. [31] | 55 PWE randomised Age ≥ 18 | 6 week psychoeducational int. Six 2 hr sessions Presentations, activities and discussion on medical and self-management topics Written information provided Group size: 4–12. Discrete int. | 2 psychologists and 1 research associate Guest lecture by nurse specialist | TAU | QOLIE-89, ESES, WPSI (psycho-social factors), locus of control scale, MCMI-III (depression) Pre-int. and 1 month follow-up | Trends in improved direction in all measures, but only one QoL subscale showed significant improvement in int. group vs control at follow-up. |