Mental health in children with epilepsy at Young Epilepsy
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Transforming the mental health treatment of children and young people at Young Epilepsy
IRAS ID
258323
Contact name
Roz Shafran
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
Background: At least half of children with epilepsy also have mental health problems like depression, anxiety and behaviour problems. The mental health problems impact so much on all areas of life including family, friendships and education, that the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommends the psychological needs of children with epilepsy should always be considered. However, existing epilepsy services are separate from mental health services, so mental health problems aren’t treated as well as they could be. The proposed treatment: There is an exciting new psychological treatment for childhood anxiety, depression and behavioural problems. This Modular Approach to Treatment for Children – Anxiety, Depression, Trauma or Conduct (MATCH-ADTC) can be given within epilepsy services, by staff without special mental health training and over the phone/Skype, which many families prefer and which reduces costs to the NHS so more children can be treated nationwide. The treatment is flexible so can be given to parents and/or the child according to age and type of problem. The study: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of MATCH-ADTC delivered by trained non-mental health specialists, such as staff and transition workers at Young epilepsy, in addition to standard care, compared to standard care alone, for children with common mental health disorders and epilepsy, and in some cases additional intellectual disabilities. All children identified will receive the intervention. We will assess the impact of the treatment after 6 months, and conduct interviews with Young Epilepsy staff, young people and their families to understand what treatment was like and how to improve it.
REC name
London - Surrey Borders Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/LO/1524
Date of REC Opinion
23 Dec 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion