Abstract

Objective

There is a need for controlled outcome studies on behavioral treatment of epilepsy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and yoga in the treatment of epilepsy.

Methods

The design consisted of a randomized controlled trial with repeated measures (N = 18). All participants had an EEG-verified epilepsy diagnosis with drug-refractory seizures. Participants were randomized into one of two groups: ACT or yoga. Therapeutic effects were measured using seizure index (frequency × duration) and quality of life (Satisfaction with Life Scale, WHOQOL-BREF). The treatment protocols consisted of 12 hours of professional therapy distributed in two individual sessions, two group sessions during a 5-week period, and booster sessions at 6 and 12 months posttreatment. Seizure index was continuously assessed during the 3-month baseline and 12-month follow-up. Quality of life was measured after treatment and at the 6-month and 1-year follow-ups.

Results

The results indicate that both ACT and yoga significantly reduce seizure index and increase quality of life over time. ACT reduced seizure index significantly more as compared with yoga. Participants in both the ACT and yoga groups improved their quality of life significantly as measured by one of two quality-of-life instruments. The ACT group increased their quality of life significantly as compared with the yoga group as measured by the WHOQOL-BREF, and the yoga group increased their quality of life significantly as compared with the ACT group as measured by the SWLS.

Conclusions

The results of this study suggest that complementary treatments, such as ACT and yoga, decrease seizure index and increase quality of life.

Keywords: Epilepsy; Acceptance and Commitment Therapy; Yoga; India

Article Outline

1. Introduction

2. Methods

2.1. Design

2.2. Subjects

2.3. Procedure

2.4. Independent variable

2.4.1. Acceptance and commitment therapy

2.4.1.1. Session 1: Individual session

2.4.1.2. Session 2: Group session (six to eight participants)

2.4.2. Yoga

2.5. Dependent variables

2.6. Statistical analyses

2.7. Ethical considerations

3. Results

3.1. Seizure frequency

3.2. Seizure index

3.3. Quality of life

4. Discussion

References