Martha Sajatovic1,2, Lynn K Herrmann3, Jamie R Van Doren1,2, Curtis Tatsuoka2, Elisabeth Welter2, Adam T Perzynski4, Ashley Bukach1,2, Kelley Needham5, Hongyan Liu2, Anne T Berg6,7. 1. Department of Psychiatry, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A. 2. Department of Neurology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Neurological and Behavioral Outcomes Center, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A. 3. Department of Public Health and Health Education, College of Health and Human Sciences, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois, U.S.A. 4. Center for Health Care Research and Policy, MetroHealth Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A. 5. Epilepsy Association, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A. 6. Epilepsy Center, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A. 7. Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Epilepsy is a common neurological condition that is often associated with stigmatizing attitudes and negative stereotypes among the general public. This randomized controlled trial (RCT) tested two new communication approaches targeting epilepsy stigma versus an education-alone approach. METHODS: Two brief stigma-reduction videos were developed, informed by community stakeholder input; one highlighted role competency in people with epilepsy; the other highlighted social inclusion of people with epilepsy. A control video was also developed. A Web-based survey using a prospective RCT design compared effects of experimental videos and control on acceptability, perceived impact, epilepsy knowledge, and epilepsy stigma. Epilepsy knowledge and stigma were measured with the Epilepsy Knowledge Questionnaire (EKQ) and Attitudes and Beliefs about Living with Epilepsy (ABLE), respectively. RESULTS: A total of 295 participants completed the study. Mean age was 23.1 (standard deviation = 3.27) years; 59.0% were male, and 71.4% were white. Overall, respondents felt videos impacted their epilepsy attitudes. EKQ scores were similar across videos, with a trend for higher knowledge in experimental videos versus control (p = 0.06). The role competency and control videos were associated with slightly better perceived impact on attitudes. There were no differences between videos on ABLE scores (p = 0.568). There were subgroup differences suggesting that men, younger individuals, whites, and those with personal epilepsy experience had more stigmatizing attitudes. SIGNIFICANCE: This RCT tested communication strategies to improve knowledge and attitudes about epilepsy. Although this initial effort will require follow-up, we have demonstrated the acceptability, feasibility, and potential of novel communication strategies to target epilepsy stigma, and a Web-based approach for assessing them. Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE:Epilepsy is a common neurological condition that is often associated with stigmatizing attitudes and negative stereotypes among the general public. This randomized controlled trial (RCT) tested two new communication approaches targeting epilepsy stigma versus an education-alone approach. METHODS: Two brief stigma-reduction videos were developed, informed by community stakeholder input; one highlighted role competency in people with epilepsy; the other highlighted social inclusion of people with epilepsy. A control video was also developed. A Web-based survey using a prospective RCT design compared effects of experimental videos and control on acceptability, perceived impact, epilepsy knowledge, and epilepsy stigma. Epilepsy knowledge and stigma were measured with the Epilepsy Knowledge Questionnaire (EKQ) and Attitudes and Beliefs about Living with Epilepsy (ABLE), respectively. RESULTS: A total of 295 participants completed the study. Mean age was 23.1 (standard deviation = 3.27) years; 59.0% were male, and 71.4% were white. Overall, respondents felt videos impacted their epilepsy attitudes. EKQ scores were similar across videos, with a trend for higher knowledge in experimental videos versus control (p = 0.06). The role competency and control videos were associated with slightly better perceived impact on attitudes. There were no differences between videos on ABLE scores (p = 0.568). There were subgroup differences suggesting that men, younger individuals, whites, and those with personal epilepsy experience had more stigmatizing attitudes. SIGNIFICANCE: This RCT tested communication strategies to improve knowledge and attitudes about epilepsy. Although this initial effort will require follow-up, we have demonstrated the acceptability, feasibility, and potential of novel communication strategies to target epilepsy stigma, and a Web-based approach for assessing them. Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Authors: Paul A Harris; Robert Taylor; Robert Thielke; Jonathon Payne; Nathaniel Gonzalez; Jose G Conde Journal: J Biomed Inform Date: 2008-09-30 Impact factor: 6.317
Authors: S K W Chan; K W Lee; C L M Hui; W C Chang; E H M Lee; E Y H Chen Journal: Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol Date: 2016-12-01 Impact factor: 4.328
Authors: Lynn K Herrmann; Elisabeth Welter; Anne T Berg; Adam T Perzynski; Jamie R Van Doren; Martha Sajatovic Journal: Epilepsy Behav Date: 2016-05-18 Impact factor: 2.937