Brief group psychoeducation for psychogenic nonepileptic seizures: A neurologist‐initiated program in an epilepsy center

摘要: Summary Objective To evaluate therapeutic efficacy upon augmenting the initial communication to patients regarding diagnosis of psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) with a novel, brief group psychoeducation administered by same team that provided video–electroencephalography (VEEG) confirmed and within 4 weeks diagnosis. Methods Prior discharge from epilepsy monitoring unit (EMU), standardized strategy was utilized explain PNES all prior enrollment. Enrolled were then randomized either participation in three successive monthly psychoeducational sessions (intervention group), or routine seizure clinic follow-up visits (control group). Both groups completed questionnaires at time enrollment, approximately 3 months (follow-up 1) 6 months 2) after discharge, assessing for: (1) primary outcomes include measure psychosocial functioning, as well interval difference frequency/intensity; (2) secondary seizure-related emergency room hospitalizations, development new medically unexplained symptoms, results an internal knowledge perception outcomes. Results The majority (73%) intervention commenced on therapy learning diagnosis. Although we did not observe significant frequency/intensity, showed improvement Work Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS) scores both 1 (p = 0.013) 2 (p = 0.038) EMU. In addition, observed trend toward lesser likelihood for hospitalizations (p = 0.184), meaningful insights outcomes. Significance These findings suggest our cost/resource effective, program, when early who communicated PNES, may contribute functional among participating patients.