Effect of motivational interviewing on quality of life in patients with epilepsy

Abstract

Objective: In this study, the effect of motivational interviewing on quality of life was evaluated in patients with epilepsy.

Methods: Fifty-six patients with epilepsy in a clinical trial were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. Motivational interviewing during 5 sessions was applied for the intervention group, and the control group received health-care services. Quality-of-life questionnaire in epilepsy (QOLIE-89) was applied as pre- and posttest for both groups. Before and two months after intervention, both groups were assessed. Data were analyzed by independent t-test, Chi-square test, and paired t-test.

Results: The data analysis showed that mean score of the QOLIE-89 was 38.94±8.55 and 70.90±7.99 in the intervention group before and after the intervention, respectfully, and 44.59±12.27 and 36.52±7.16 in the control group sequentially. The intervention group showed a significant score increase in their quality of life (p<0.001), whereas the control group had a score decrease (p<0.001).

Conclusion: Motivational interviewing approach could be used as an effective intervention method for improving patients' quality of life.

Keywords: Epilepsy; Motivational interviewing; Quality of life.