• Matthew W Luedke, Dan V Blalock, Karen M Goldstein, Andrzej S Kosinski, Saurabh R Sinha, Connor Drake, Jeffrey D Lewis, Aatif M Husain, Allison A Lewinski, Abigail Shapiro, Jennifer M Gierisch, Tung T Tran, Adelaide M Gordon, Megan G Van Noord, Hayden B Bosworth, and John W Williams.
• Duke University Medical Center and Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina (M.W.L., S.R.S., A.A.L., A.S., T.T.T., A.M.G.).
• Ann. Intern. Med. 2019 Jul 16; 171 (2): 117-126.

BackgroundAlthough self-management is recommended for persons with epilepsy, its optimal strategies and effects are uncertain.PurposeTo evaluate the components and efficacy of self-management interventions in the treatment of epilepsy in community-dwelling persons.Data SourcesEnglish-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 SelectionRandomized and nonrandomized comparative studies of self-management interventions for adults with epilepsy.Data ExtractionAn 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 Synthesis13 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.LimitationHigh ROB in most studies, incomplete intervention descriptions, and studies limited to English-language publications.ConclusionThere 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 SourceU.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (PROSPERO: CRD42018098604).

4 keywords...

hide…