Family Adjustment to Childhood Epilepsy Surgery (FACES) Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An exploration of child and parent experiences of childhood epilepsy surgery and adjustment to life following surgery (FACES)
IRAS ID
217894
Contact name
Kerry Woolfall
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Liverpool
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 5 months, 21 days
Research summary
The study aims to explore children’s and parents’ experiences of childhood epilepsy surgery. Epilepsy surgery is carried out to help reduce or completely stop seizures. Approximately 7 out of 10 children will not experience any further seizures after their surgery (Epilepsy Action, 2016). Some children will continue to experience seizures after surgery and may need to continue taking epilepsy medication.
It is often assumed that the alleviation of seizures through epilepsy surgery will improve the psychological development of children. However, changes associated with postoperative seizure relief are not always positive. Research has suggested that children who became seizure-free following epilepsy surgery reported more significant adjustment difficulties, than children whose seizures stopped spontaneously.
There is also research evidence which suggests that unsuccessful surgery may lead to greater psychological difficulties in children, in comparison with children with epilepsy who did not progress to surgery. These findings suggest that prior expectations of surgery, and perceptions of outcomes and adjustment following surgery, appear to have a greater impact on psychological wellbeing than seizure status alone.
Parental perspectives are also an important consideration. Research suggests that parental stress is increased when children have had a number of failed epilepsy treatments.
In this qualitative study we will use face to face interviews to explore children and parents' experiences of epilepsy surgery. Approximately 6 to 10 children and their parents will be recruited through the Northern Children's Epilepsy Surgery Services. The children will be aged 7-17 years and will have undergone surgery in the past six months to two years.
Study findings will include recommendations for healthcare providers to inform the development of pre- and post-surgery psychological interventions for children and families.
REC name
West Midlands - Black Country Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/WM/0159
Date of REC Opinion
17 May 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion