The efficacy of educational intervention in enhancing person's ability to manage their epilepsy well: A systematic literature review

Epilepsy is one of the most common chronic neurological conditions, with the potential to generate significant morbidity, impaired quality of life, socioeconomic decline, and high health care costs. Self-management is essential for patients who live with a chronic disease. In addition to standard therapeutic options, patients are also urged to engage in epilepsy self-management which is best achieved by delivering educational intervention to enhance their self-management skills. A good self-management enhances self-efficacy and improves overall quality of life. The purpose of the current review was to identify the evidence on the efficacy of educational intervention in enhancing person's ability to manage their epilepsy to improve their quality of life. Various online databases were searched to obtain the literature using appropriate search terms/keywords. Only Randomized controlled studies were included in the review because of their high evidence level and to avoid subject to bias. Databases searched were ScienceDirect, Wiley online library, and Google Scholar. A total of 41 articles with full texts were reviewed, out of which 7 articles met the criteria. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed by using the Jadad scoring system. The outcome measurement of self-management, self-efficacy, drug adherence, quality of life was observed among patients with epilepsy (PWE) and found effective after delivering educational intervention. In the entire studies, the control group received routine care. This systematic review of randomized controlled trial studies emphasized the positive impact of educational interventions for patients diagnosed with epilepsy concerning various outcome measures. Hence, It was concluded that the planned educational intervention empower PWE to engage in good self-management practices and it enhances their self-efficacy, quality of life by improving their sleep quality, decreasing stress, concern, and fears related to epilepsy.