People with epilepsy who report higher levels of daily stress are more likely to have a poorer adherence to drug therapy, researchers reported at AES 2018. They suggested that stress management could be a potentially useful approach to improving care in certain patients.
The researchers from New York University Langone School of Medicine, New York, USA, analyzed diary data from adult patients with self-reported suboptimal adherence who were taking part in a 3-month pilot study of a smartphone-based self-management intervention.
The smartphone app delivered self-management advice and support, and allowed the user to input data on seizures, level of stress, and antiepileptic drug use. Motivation was also provided by telephone.