Pilot study of an integrated cognitive-behavioral and self-management intervention for youth with epilepsy and caregivers: Coping Openly and Personally with Epilepsy (COPE)

The aim of this study was to pilot test an intervention based on empirically supported cognitive-behavioral techniques and theory-driven self-management content. The Coping Openly and Personally with Epilepsy (COPE) Program focused on enhancing coping skills, self-efficacy, and self-management to promote resilience in youth with epilepsy and their caregivers. Nine youth aged 10–15 and a parent completed several self-report measures pre- and post-intervention. Results revealed that parents did rate significant improvements in their children's coping skills following the COPE intervention. Further, compared with pre-assessment, children rated significant improvements in self-efficacy for seizure management. Child knowledge of epilepsy also significantly improved following the intervention. Two children reported mild suicidal ideation prior to the intervention, whereas no children reported ideation following the intervention. Results provide a foundation for further development of the COPE Program and suggest a randomized, controlled trial to examine the effectiveness of COPE for youth with epilepsy and their parents.