Adults with learning disabilities and epilepsy: knowledge about epilepsy before and after an educational package

The understanding individuals have about their epilepsy may influence the success with which that individual copes with his/her epilepsy. This paper presents the first evaluation of a video-assisted brief educational package for adults with mild learning disabilities and epilepsy ("Epilepsy and You"; Paul, 1996 21). Utilizing a deferred entry to treatment design to evaluate intervention effects eighteen subjects participated in the study. Their knowledge about epilepsy before and after training was assessed using a checklist of knowledge and the Epilepsy Knowledge Questionnaire-Revised for use with people with learning disabilities. Results demonstrated significant gains in knowledge which were durable over a short follow-up period (1 month). "Epilepsy and You" was found to be suitable for use with a wide range of individuals and subjects' opinions demonstrated they enjoyed taking part. This study is a preliminary investigation from which other research can develop. Therefore, criticisms and suggestions for further research have been made.