Abstracts

In 1997, a specialized rehabilitation unit for people with epilepsy was launched, offering a comprehensive 3 to 6 weeks program in order to ameliorate negative psychological, social and vocational consequences associated with the epilepsy. The effects of the rehabilitation treatment were evaluated. Ninety-six consecutive non-surgical patients (mean age, 35 years, 66% male) completed a validated questionnaire (PESOS) before admission (T1) and after a mean of 19 months after discharge (T2). T1 and T2 data on quality of life (QL), seizure frequency, performance in daily life (including epilepsy self-management) were compared. Seventy-nine patients (82%) had focal epilepsy. Physical co-morbidity was found in 21%, and psychiatric co-morbidity in 53% of the cohort. Compared with T1, seizure frequency and number of hospital admissions due to epilepsy were reduced at T2 (p[lt] 0.01). Significant improvements were found in 6 out of 7 QL domains (epilepsy related fear, emotional adaptation, perceived restrictions, perceived stigma, mobility/independent living, and physical/emotional health), and in performance in daily life (e.g. going out alone, driving a car). Regarding patients whose seizures were not markedly improved at T2, and patients with psychiatric co-morbidity, both subgroups had also significant positive effects on QL and performance. A comprehensive rehabilitation program seems to have favorable long-term effects on seizures, performance (including epilepsy self-management), emotional adaptation and quality of life. Most of these effects were also observed in patients without improvement of seizure control, and in patients with psychiatric co-morbidity.
[underline]Reference:[/underline] Specht U, Thorbecke R. Short term inpatient rehabilitation unit. In: Pfäfflin M, Fraser RT, Thorbecke R, Specht U, Wolf P, eds. Comprehensive care for people with epilepsy. London: John Libbey [amp] Co, 2001: 213-220 (Supported by Society for Epilepsy Research, Bielefeld, Germany)