Self-management of Epilepsy: A Systematic Review.

Journal Article (Journal Article;Systematic Review)

BACKGROUND: Although self-management is recommended for persons with epilepsy, its optimal strategies and effects are uncertain. PURPOSE: To evaluate the components and efficacy of self-management interventions in the treatment of epilepsy in community-dwelling persons. DATA SOURCES: English-language searches of MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PsycINFO, and CINAHL in April 2018; the MEDLINE search was updated in March 2019. STUDY SELECTION: Randomized and nonrandomized comparative studies of self-management interventions for adults with epilepsy. DATA EXTRACTION: An investigator assessed study characteristics; intervention details, including 6 components of self-management; and outcomes, which were verified by a second reviewer. Risk of bias (ROB) was assessed independently by 2 investigators. DATA SYNTHESIS: 13 randomized and 2 nonrandomized studies (2514 patients) evaluated self-management interventions. Interventions were delivered primarily in group settings, used a median of 4 components, and followed 2 general strategies: 1 based on education and the other on psychosocial therapy. Education-based approaches improved self-management behaviors (standardized mean difference, 0.52 [95% CI, 0.0 to 1.04]), and psychosocial therapy-based approaches improved quality of life (mean difference, 6.64 [CI, 2.51 to 10.77]). Overall, self-management interventions did not reduce seizure rates, but 1 educational intervention decreased a composite of seizures, emergency department visits, and hospitalizations. LIMITATION: High ROB in most studies, incomplete intervention descriptions, and studies limited to English-language publications. CONCLUSION: There is limited evidence that self-management strategies modestly improve some patient outcomes that are important to persons with epilepsy. Overall, self-management research in epilepsy is limited by the range of interventions tested, the small number of studies using self-monitoring technology, and uncertainty about components and strategies associated with benefit. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (PROSPERO: CRD42018098604).

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Luedke, MW; Blalock, DV; Goldstein, KM; Kosinski, AS; Sinha, SR; Drake, C; Lewis, JD; Husain, AM; Lewinski, AA; Shapiro, A; Gierisch, JM; Tran, TT; Gordon, AM; Van Noord, MG; Bosworth, HB; Williams, JW

Published Date

  • July 16, 2019

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 171 / 2

Start / End Page

  • 117 - 126

PubMed ID

  • 31261386

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1539-3704

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.7326/M19-0458

Language

  • eng

Conference Location

  • United States