Cognitive behaviour therapy to improve mood in people with epilepsy : a randomised controlled trial

This study compared a 9-week individualised Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) programme for people with epilepsy (PWE), with a wait-list control. Fifty-nine PWE were randomised and 45 (75%) completed post-treatment outcomes. People with lower quality of life (QoL), particularly for cognitive functioning, were more likely to drop out. Analyses based on treatment completers demonstrated significant improvements on the Neurological Depressive Disorders Inventory for Epilepsy (p =.045) and Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale-Depression subscale (p =.048). Importantly, CBT significantly reduced the likelihood of clinical depressive symptoms (p =.014) and suicidal ideation (p =.005). Improvements were not observed for anxiety, QoL or maintained overtime for depression. Results suggest that CBT was effective, however, and could be improved to increase patient retention and long-term outcomes.