Abstracts

Rationale: Majority of patients with seizures are completely unaware of the profile of their symptoms during the ictus. Some have vague conceptions and/or misconceptions obtained from the descriptions offered by their attendants. This would evoke mixed responses in patients, some develop anxiety, some go into depression or phobia and only a very small group accepts the reality and lives meaningfully. Viewing there own seizures will positively change attitude and practice of the patients and may help them deal with their seizures positively. The aim of the study was to assess the neuropsychological outcome of patients with refractory epilepsy after they view their habitual seizures recorded during their stay in the video-EEG monitoring room. Methods: All consecutive adult patients with refractory seizures admitted for video-EEG monitoring and willing to participate were included. Exclusion criterias were less than 10 years of formal education, mental retardation (IQ ≤ 70), concomitant psychiatric disorder and non-epileptic behavioral events. Patients were administered hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS), specific validated questionnaire assessing personality profile and locus of control one day before and immediately after viewing their habitual seizures. These patients were regularly followed up and were reassessed after 2 months to look for any change in their anxiety, depression and personality profile. Results: Twenty-five patients (14 females and 11 males) with mean age of 24.1 years (18-51 years) were included in the study. After viewing their seizures, sixteen patients (64%) had immediate positive impact and recommended seizure viewing for others. After viewing the seizures eighteen patients (72%) felt more confident in facing others. There was marked improvement in HADS (especially sub-score for anxiety) in 60% of the patients immediately after viewing the seizures and in 72% of the patients at 2-month follow-up. Patients who had hypomotor as compared to hypermotor and generalized seizures had more significant improvement in neuropsychological profile immediately and at 2 months follow-up. Conclusions: It is highly useful in a clinical setting to show their own seizures to the patients, especially hypomotor seizures, which improves their neuropsychological outcome.