Development of a care program based on non-pharmacological approaches for use in epileptic adults with learning disability.
Debbie Gooderick (2007)
Brighton and Sussex Medical School
Background
One quarter of all epilepsy patients have a concurrent learning disability. This group is over 30% less likely than the general epileptic population to achieve seizure freedom on standard drug treatment without intolerable side effects. Therefore, they would be most likely to benefit from non-pharmacological approaches. This study will examine lifestyle factors such as exercise, stress, fluid balance and sleep hygiene with a view to producing a care plan for use in residential homes. Its aim will be to improve quality of life and possibly decrease seizure frequency.
Methods
A literature review was conducted to obtain evidence for non-pharmacological approaches to epilepsy. Six case analyses of residents at Kingsmead Lodge were carried out. An epilepsy outcome scale and two quality of life questionnaires were administered to the residents key carers to ascertain epilepsy-related concerns and factors impinging upon quality of life. This information was used to develop a care plan.
Conclusions
Epileptic adults with learning disability evoke high levels of concern amongst their carers, and tend to have lower quality of life scores than the other epileptic populations. The care plan produced by this preliminary study appears comprehensive, and will increase the quality of care this population receives, thereby increasing quality of life and potentially reducing the negative impact of epilepsy.
