Effect of self-management interventions for adults with epilepsy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Since there are several articles reporting self-management for adults with epilepsy, we conduct this comprehensive analysis to evaluate the clinical effects of self-management (SM) for adult patients with epilepsy. Methods: Multiple databases were searched for relevant studies, and full-text articles involved in the comparison between self-management and controls were reviewed. We analyzed the bias of the included articles. Review Manager 5.2 was then used to evaluate the heterogeneity of results in the selected articles. The forest map and sensitivity analysis were made. Results: Eventually, eight studies involving 1,466 patients satisfied the eligibility criteria. The samples of self-management and control groups were 733 and 733 respectively. The results of heterogeneity testing suggested that self-management had higher indicators than the control group, including Quality of Life Scale for Patients with Epilepsy (QOLIE-31) [the overall mean difference was 2.76 with 95% CI (0.24, 5.29). The P value of overall effect was 0.03, I-2=68%], Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) [MD =0.44, 95% CI: (0.22, 0.65), P<0.0001], fixed effect model and the included studies were of low homogeneity (P=0.93, I2=0%), and Epilepsy Self-Management Scale (ESMS) [MD =0.13, 95% CI: (-0.02, 0.23), P=0.02, fixed effect model with insignificant heterogeneity I-2=13%]. Discussion: The results of our study suggested self-management might be an effective intervention for adult patients with epilepsy.