Mindfulness-based Psychotherapy for Drug-resistant Epilepsy

N/ACompletedNCT02060422

Chinese University of Hong Kong60 enrolled

Overview

Psychological problems are prevalent among patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. The bi-directional interaction between psychological well-being and seizure have been recognized in recent years. Reduction of psychological stress has the potential to improve seizure manifestation. The present study uses an assessor-blinded prospective randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of a mindfulness-based psychotherapy and an attentional-placebo social support on improving psychological well-being, seizure control and cognitive performance among adult patients with drug-resistant epilepsy.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Epilepsy Stress

Interventions

Mindfulness-based therapy is a four biweekly two-and-a-half-hour psychotherapy tailored for patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. The aims of this therapy are to introduce and practice mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques in coping with drug-resistant epilepsy.

Social support groupBEHAVIORAL

Social support group is an attention-placebo with the same contact hours (four bi-weekly two-and-a-half-hour) as the experimental group, but without active treatment input. The aim of the social support group is to provide a supportive group atmosphere for patients with drug-resistant epilepsy.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * a diagnosis of epilepsy * over 18 years of age * resistant to pharmacological treatment according to the ILAE guideline * no previous history of neurosurgery * adequate level of reading and understanding ability to fill in questionnaires * capable to communicate with the investigator with considerable expressive capacity * patients who agree to cooperate with the study procedures required by the protocol * patients who understand the nature of the study, agree to participate and sign the informed consent form Exclusion Criteria: * with primary diagnosis of substance use disorder, mood disorder, bipolar affective disorder, psychosis, or organic mental disorder * with diagnosis of learning disability or mental retardation

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change in quality of life (Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory-31-P Total Score) from baseline to post-intervention

Time frame: Baseline, 4-week post-intervention