Design and feasibility of a memory intervention with focus on self-management for cognitive impairment in epilepsy.
The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of a self-management intervention targeting cognitive dysfunction to improve quality of life and reduce memory-related disability in adults with epilepsy. The intervention incorporates (1) education on cognitive function in epilepsy, (2) self-awareness training, (3) compensatory strategies, and (4) application of these strategies in day-to-day life using problem-solving therapy. In addition to the behavioral modification, formal working memory training was conducted by utilizing a commercially available program in a subgroup of patients. Our findings suggest that a self-management intervention targeting cognitive dysfunction was feasible for delivery to a rural population with epilepsy, with 13 of 16 enrolled participants completing the 8-session program. Qualitative data indicate high satisfaction and subjective improvement in cognitive functioning in day-to-day life. These findings provide support for further evaluation of the efficacy of this intervention through a randomized controlled trial.
Department of Neurology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH, USA. Electronic address: Tracie.A.Caller@dartmouth.edu.
Tracie A
TA
Caller
Department of Neurology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH, USA.
Karen L
KL
Secore
Eastern Maine Medical Center, Bangor, ME, USA.
Robert J
RJ
Ferguson
Neuropsychology Program, Department of Psychiatry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA.
Robert M
RM
Roth
Department of Neurology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH, USA.
Faith P
FP
Alexandre
Department of Neurology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH, USA.
Patricia L
PL
Henegan
Department of Neurology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH, USA.
Jessica J
JJ
Harrington
Department of Neurology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH, USA.
Barbara C
BC
Jobst
D000328:Adult; D003071:Cognition; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D008570:Memory, Short-Term; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011340:Problem Solving; D011788:Quality of Life; D012424:Rural Population; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*; D013689:Telephone; D055815:Young Adult
Cognition; Comorbidity; Epilepsy; Memory; Self-management