Comprehensive Nursing Program for Children with Epilepsy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: Epilepsy is a relatively common childhood neurological disease. Children with epilepsy need to take precautions to minimize seizure damage in order to adapt to seizures and manage them. Aim: The current study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and effects of a comprehensive nursing program for children with epilepsy to reduce children’s symptoms of epilepsy. Subject and Methods: Participants were children suffering from epilepsy between 2019 and 2021 at Ningbo Women and Children’s Hospital. Seventy children were included in a randomized controlled trial with a comprehensive nursing group (CNG) and an active control group (ACG). Measurements were assessed pre- and post-intervention and at a one- and three-month follow-ups. Children in the CNG learned and practiced the strategies related to the comprehensive nursing intervention. The outcomes were anxiety and depression. Results: The results showed that anxiety and depression scores were significantly lower in the CNG than the ACG at 1 and 3 months after intervention (P < 0.05). According to the feasibility results, whereas most participants believed that the program was informative and meaningful, a minority reported that it was time-consuming. Conclusion: The intervention has the potential to support children with epilepsy. The program is easily accessible, cost-effective and could be implemented in epilepsy care rehabilitation.