Posted on July 9, 2001 at 4:30 p.m.
BIRMINGHAM, AL — A study under way at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) aims to determine what factors may influence the quality of life in elderly people with epilepsy. “We’re interest in identifying the challenges — such as increased risk of falls and loneliness — that may affect their daily living and well-being,” says Laura Vogtle, Ph.D., associate professor of occupational therapy at UAB.
More than 300,000 senior citizens in the United States have epilepsy, a functional disorder of the brain characterized by seizures, according to the Epilepsy Foundation of America. Among older people, stroke is most common cause of epilepsy. Other causes frequently associated with epilepsy in older adults include heart attack, brain disease and brain surgery.
The study, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, will enroll 50 people aged 60 to 85 with primary epilepsy meaning their seizures are a direct result of epilepsy and not some other cause. Eligible participants must also live in non-assisted housing.
Participants may chose to enroll in one or more parts of the three-part study. The first part is a focus group in which participants will discuss factors that influence their quality of life. The second part is a case study involving one-on-one interviews with a researcher and observation of daily activities. A family member or close friend will also be interviewed. The third part is a series of tests to evaluate memory and problem solving abilities. Participants will be compensated $10 for the first part, $10 for second and $25 for the third.
Information gathered from the study will be used to improve treatments for elderly people with epilepsy and to provide medication guidelines for healthcare professionals. “It will also bring to light issues such as the need for expanded public transportation services,” Vogtle says. “People with epilepsy who have had a seizure in the last six months are not permitted to drive in the state of Alabama. However, even in areas of the state that have public transportation, those services are limited. Here in Birmingham, for instance, there is no bus service on weekends.”
For more information about the study, contact James Mapson at (205) 934-9273.