A double-blind randomized controlled trial to investigate the effectiveness of parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT) on the quality of life in children with epilepsy

Background: The unpredictable nature of Seizers and their physical and psychological consequences have a significant effect on the quality of life of children and their families. Increasing quality of life is one of the concerns of health care professionals about children with epilepsy. On the other hand, the parent-child interaction therapy focuses on altering the context of the environment and parent-child interactions instead of interfering child directly with the cognitive and behavioral problems. Methods: In a double-blind randomized controlled trial with repeated measurements and a 6-month follow-up, 28 children with epilepsy (mean age of 5-9 years old with SD of 2.1) and their parents were selected through a respondent-driven sampling method and randomly assigned to two experimental and control groups. Parent-child interaction therapy was implemented in two phases of direct interaction with the child and interaction with the parent in twelve weekly sessions. Changes in quality of life through quality of life in childhood epilepsy questionnaire during 12 weeks of treatment were considered as the primary and adherence to treatment was considered as the secondary outcome. Data were analyzed using the generalized estimating equation, correlation with repeated measures. Also, qualitative data were analyzed using ATLAS.ti5 software. Findings: The primary outcome showed that twelve weeks of parent-child interaction therapy was associated with a significant increase in quality of life in children and mothers (all,s p<0.031). However, the results did not remain stable until the follow-up stage (p=0.089).Secondary outcome showed that the adherence to treatment was different between the experimental and control group, although this difference was not significant (p <0.052). Qualitative analysis of data showed that satisfaction of treatment in parents was more than children. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate the role of interactive interventions as a therapeutic factor in the population of children with epilepsy. Although investigating of this assumption requires more controlled clinical trials.

Keywords:

Parent-child interaction therapy , Childhood Epilepsy , Quality of life