TY - JOUR
T1 - Improved understanding of non-epileptic seizures and reduced emergency health care usage following a single psychoeducational group for children and their parents
AU - Gurcan, Lara
AU - McAllister, Eve
AU - Gilmour, Jane
AU - Green, Daniel
AU - McFarlane, Fiona A
AU - Hadji-Michael, Maria
AU - Heyman, Isobel
AU - Stark, Daniel
PY - 2022/10
Y1 - 2022/10
N2 - Rationale: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a three-hour psychoeducation group in improving understanding of non-epileptic seizures (NES), health outcomes and quality of life in young people with NES. Background: Multi-session psychoeducational groups for adults with NES have reported improved psychosocial functioning and reduced NES compared to those who do not receive psychoeducational interventions. To date there have been no studies in young people examining the effects of a single session of psychoeducation. Method: 15 young people with NES and their families attended a psychoeducation group within a specialist hospital following a multidisciplinary assessment. The group's effectiveness was evaluated in terms of perceptions of seizure controllability, seizure severity, the management of the condition and health-related quality of life measures. Results: A significant decrease in accident and emergency (A&E) visits and ambulance call outs was observed following the psychoeducation group. Young people additionally reported increased knowledge of NES and ability to cope with the condition which was maintained at 6-week follow-up. Significant reduction in NES occurrence or quality of life was not observed. Conclusion: Significant reduction in A&E attendance and ambulance use was found following group psychoeducation and improvements in psychosocial functioning and knowledge about NES. Group psychoeducation has the potential to increase child and parental understanding of NES and reduce inappropriate healthcare usage.
AB - Rationale: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a three-hour psychoeducation group in improving understanding of non-epileptic seizures (NES), health outcomes and quality of life in young people with NES. Background: Multi-session psychoeducational groups for adults with NES have reported improved psychosocial functioning and reduced NES compared to those who do not receive psychoeducational interventions. To date there have been no studies in young people examining the effects of a single session of psychoeducation. Method: 15 young people with NES and their families attended a psychoeducation group within a specialist hospital following a multidisciplinary assessment. The group's effectiveness was evaluated in terms of perceptions of seizure controllability, seizure severity, the management of the condition and health-related quality of life measures. Results: A significant decrease in accident and emergency (A&E) visits and ambulance call outs was observed following the psychoeducation group. Young people additionally reported increased knowledge of NES and ability to cope with the condition which was maintained at 6-week follow-up. Significant reduction in NES occurrence or quality of life was not observed. Conclusion: Significant reduction in A&E attendance and ambulance use was found following group psychoeducation and improvements in psychosocial functioning and knowledge about NES. Group psychoeducation has the potential to increase child and parental understanding of NES and reduce inappropriate healthcare usage.
UR - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1059131122001546?via%3Dihub
U2 - 10.1016/j.seizure.2022.07.001
DO - 10.1016/j.seizure.2022.07.001
M3 - Article
SN - 1059-1311
VL - 101
JO - Seizure
JF - Seizure
ER -