MULTIMODAL MANAGEMENT OF PEDIATRIC EPILEPSY: NEUROLOGY-PSYCHIATRY COLLABORATION

Abstract

The efficacy of multimodal management with combined neurology and psychiatry is observed in this study to treat paediatric epilepsy.  The research itself involved children with clinically diagnosed epilepsy between 3 and 16 in terms of a mixed-methods experimental approach.  At baseline and in the middle of the treatment and after treatment, the quantitative descriptive data was collected, like the frequency of the seizures and behavioural results (CBCL, SDQ).  At the same time, there was a qualitative approach through semi-structured interviews with carers to record psychosocial impacts and care satisfaction.  The integrated treatment approach involved cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), antiepileptic medications (AEDs), and regular case reviews at that interdisciplinary level.  Statistically significant outcomes included changes in behavioural ratings in the positive direction with repetition of the measures of ANOVA, and reductions in seizure frequency (p < 0.01).  The effect estimation of the difference between two conditions proved clinically significant alterations to be true.  Qualitative findings indicated better family coping mechanisms, better control of emotions in children and parent satisfaction.  The collaborative model made it easier to provide individualised care because treatment plans were always revised based on mental and neurological information.  The results of the study indicated that an integrated approach of neurology and psychiatry is beneficial in order to enhance neurological outcome as well as psychosocial functioning resulting in superior management of paediatric epilepsy.  In tertiary care, the present paradigm proposes the provision of patient-centered care by adopting the multidisciplinary approach in a scaled down manner.