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Multimodal pathway for brain tumor‐related epilepsy patients: Observational study
Author(s) -
Maialetti Andrea,
Maschio Marta,
Zarabla Alessia,
Polimadei Camilla,
Papa Elena,
Villani Veronica,
Giannarelli Diana
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
acta neurologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.967
H-Index - 95
eISSN - 1600-0404
pISSN - 0001-6314
DOI - 10.1111/ane.13228
Subject(s) - neurocognitive , quality of life (healthcare) , psychology , verbal memory , cognition , randomized controlled trial , observational study , clinical psychology , epilepsy , distress , neuropsychology , medicine , psychiatry , psychotherapist
Objectives Brain tumor‐related epilepsy patients (BTRE) have a complex profile due to the simultaneous presence of two pathologies: brain tumor and epilepsy. That illness and their treatments could induce physical, cognitive, emotional disturbances, and possible social isolation, with detrimental effect on patients’ quality of life (QoL). Aim of this observational pilot study is to evaluate whether a multimodal rehabilitation pathway (MRP) consisting of epileptological follow‐up, neurocognitive training, emotional support, and social support could produce an improvement in perceived quality of life of 33 patients with BTRE. Materials and methods Basal (T0) and 6 month (T1) evaluation with epileptological, neuropsychological, psychological state (Symptom checklist‐SCL‐90), social (Social questionnaire schedule‐SQS), and QoL assessment (QOLIE 31‐P). MRP consisted in epileptological follow‐up, supportive meeting groups, social assistance; patients with cognitive deficits could also obtain a 12‐week neurocognitive training. Results We observed at T1 significant improvements in mean seizure/month ( P = .02), verbal memory (word list immediate recall, P = .01; word list delayed recall P = .003), social aspects with regard to assistencial network's efficacy (SQS network P = .001) and quality of social relations (SQS socialization P < .0001). QOLIE 31‐P showed a significant improvement in cognitive scale ( P = .04) and a significant decrease in cognitive related distress ( P = .04). No psychopathological symptoms were detected. Conclusion After 6 months, MRP produced significant improvements in seizure control, cognitive performances, quality of social relations, patients’ perception to be supported and patients’ perceived quality of life related to cognitive efficacy. Future randomized trial with longer follow‐up is needed to further evaluate the impact of this kind of pathway on patients’ QoL.