Report on a psychoeducational intervention for psychogenic non-epileptic seizures in Argentina

SARUDIANSKY, MERCEDES; PABLO KORMAN, GUIDO; LANZILLOTTI, ALEJANDRA INÉS; ARECO PICO, MARÍA MARTA; TENREYRO, CRISTINA; PAOLASINI, GABRIELA VALDEZ; WOLFZUN, CAMILA; KOCHEN, SILVIA; D' ALESSIO, LUCIANA; MYERS, LORNA

SEIZURE : THE JOURNAL OF THE BRITISH EPILEPSY ASSOCIATION.

W B SAUNDERS CO LTD

Año: 2020

1059-1311

Purpose:Journal Pre-proofTo examine the effects of a three-session psychoeducational intervention onpatients diagnosed with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) in anArgentinian public hospital. It was hypothesized that patients would experienceimprovements in their understanding of PNES, illness perception and affectivescores, but might not necessarily experience a significant change in posttraumaticand dissociative symptoms and in seizure frequency.Methods:This study included 12 patients (10 women, 2 men) who were invited toparticipate in a psychoeducational group after receiving a V-EEG confirmeddiagnosis of PNES. The group consisted of 3 sessions lasting 2 hours each. Preand post measures included Psychoeducational Intervention Questionnaire,State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory-II, Brief IllnessPerception Questionnaire, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Diagnostic Scale 5,Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES-M).Results:This psychoeducational intervention produced results that were similar tointerventions reported in US and European studies with regard to changes onpsychological measures. Moreover, many patients also reported (on the finalday of the intervention) a decrease in seizure frequency. All patients reportedthat participating in the intervention was a positive experience. Also, all but onepatient referred that the participation in the group would have a positive impacton their quality of life.Conclusions:Psychoeducational interventions appear to have had positive results inArgentinian patients with PNES. This is initial step in the design of empiricallybased psychoeducational/supportive initiatives for patients in South America.Keywords: psychogenic non-epileptic seizures, psychoeducation, treatment,Hispanic, group treatment, outcome