PURPOSE: To evaluate prospectively patient's aims for epilepsy surgery as previously outlined theoretically by Taylor et al. (Epilepsia 1997;3:625-30). METHODS: Ninety-three consecutive patients were interviewed by a psychiatrist as part of their evaluation for epilepsy surgery. Open-ended questions about the patient were asked, and carers' aims or ambitions for change as a result of putative relief of seizures were elicited. The interviewer aimed to obtain a maximum of five aims for later follow-up purposes. These questions were part of an extensive psychiatric interview that is described. RESULTS: The aims of 69 patients or carers were analyzed. The 204 statements of aims were grouped into 59 categories initially. The five most frequently cited constituted 50% of all the aims listed. These aims were desire for work, driving of motor vehicles, independence, socializing, and freedom from drugs. The patients rarely identified a desire for improvement in cognitive functioning as an aim for epilepsy surgery. A final analysis into six categories showed that changes in social process predominated, even over changes in personal behavior. CONCLUSIONS: The social and personal aims to accompany relief of epilepsy identified by patients are consistent with the literature on psychosocial adjustment to epilepsy.
PURPOSE: To evaluate prospectively patient's aims for epilepsy surgery as previously outlined theoretically by Taylor et al. (Epilepsia 1997;3:625-30). METHODS: Ninety-three consecutive patients were interviewed by a psychiatrist as part of their evaluation for epilepsy surgery. Open-ended questions about the patient were asked, and carers' aims or ambitions for change as a result of putative relief of seizures were elicited. The interviewer aimed to obtain a maximum of five aims for later follow-up purposes. These questions were part of an extensive psychiatric interview that is described. RESULTS: The aims of 69 patients or carers were analyzed. The 204 statements of aims were grouped into 59 categories initially. The five most frequently cited constituted 50% of all the aims listed. These aims were desire for work, driving of motor vehicles, independence, socializing, and freedom from drugs. The patients rarely identified a desire for improvement in cognitive functioning as an aim for epilepsy surgery. A final analysis into six categories showed that changes in social process predominated, even over changes in personal behavior. CONCLUSIONS: The social and personal aims to accompany relief of epilepsy identified by patients are consistent with the literature on psychosocial adjustment to epilepsy.
Authors: C M Bower; R D Hays; O Devinsky; S S Spencer; M R Sperling; S Haut; S Vassar; B G Vickrey Journal: Seizure Date: 2008-10-15 Impact factor: 3.184
Authors: Elliot H Akama-Garren; Matt T Bianchi; Catherine Leveroni; Andrew J Cole; Sydney S Cash; M Brandon Westover Journal: Epilepsia Date: 2014-09-19 Impact factor: 5.864
Authors: M Yogarajah; N K Focke; S Bonelli; M Cercignani; J Acheson; G J M Parker; D C Alexander; A W McEvoy; M R Symms; M J Koepp; J S Duncan Journal: Brain Date: 2009-05-21 Impact factor: 13.501