Education for men with solvent-induced chronic toxic encephalopathy and their spouses

In this study an education, and a series of group sessions for patients with solvent-induced chronic toxic encephalopathy (TE) and their spouses are evaluated. Thirty-eight patients and 21 family members participated in a 1-day education scheduled with short lectures on the clinical examination of chronic toxic encephalopathy and the prognosis. A specialist in occupational medicine, a psychologist and a social worker gave the lectures. Small discussion groups were also arranged. Of the participants from the educational days, 16 TE patients and 14 wives attended a 10-week counselling and coping improvement program with separate group sessions once a week, for patients and spouses. Questionnaires were used to assess symptoms, social network, mastery and family climate, and the participants' satisfaction with the education and the group sessions. The majority of the participants experienced the 1-day information as useful and relevant. The 10-week group sessions were rated as meaningful and the design, number, duration and frequency of the sessions equally good. Self-reported symptoms, social network and mastery were measured before the group sessions, and 3 and 9 months after breaking up the group sessions. In most measurements, there were no statistically significant differences between the three points in time. However, the wives improved more than did the patients but the effect was not lasting the whole follow-up period. Considering the patients' dependence on their wives, it might be most important that the wives experienced some relief from their own symptoms. (c) 2004 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.