Epilepsy, identity, and the experience of the body

© 2018 Elsevier Inc. Living with a chronic condition can challenge a person\u27s identity, yet there is a paucity of research exploring this experience for people with epilepsy and particularly for those diagnosed in adulthood. Consequently, through an interpretative phenomenological approach, the current study aimed to explore what the experience of adult-onset epilepsy meant for a person\u27s identity. Thirty-nine people with adult-onset epilepsy from across the UK took part in up to two semi-structured interviews. A modified form of interpretative phenomenological analysis was conducted and identified three themes: 1) disarming the impact of seizures considered strategies used to control seizure occurrence and regain a sense of control over the body; 2) distinguishing the self from the body highlighted participants’ attempts to separate their sense of self from the unpredictability of their bodies; 3) separating epilepsy from themselves demonstrated how participants externalized epilepsy from themselves in order to reject it as part of their identity. The findings highlighted that living with adult-onset epilepsy can challenge a person\u27s sense of self and trust in their body, resulting in the adoption of various strategies to manage the threat to their identity. As such, practitioners must pay attention to the impact that adult-onset epilepsy can have on a person\u27s identity and faith in their body

The experience of living with adult-onset epilepsy.

© 2017 Elsevier Inc. The incidence and prevalence of adults diagnosed with epilepsy is higher compared to those diagnosed in childhood, yet the experience of living with adult-onset epilepsy has rarely been examined. Hence, the current study took a phenomenological approach to examining the experience of living with epilepsy following diagnosis in adulthood. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 39 people from across the UK, diagnosed with epilepsy between the ages of eighteen and sixty, at two points in time, six months apart. Phenomenological analysis identified three central themes: the unpredictability of seizure occurrence; the ripple effect; and re-evaluating the future. Despite the accepted consensus in the epilepsy literature that living and coping with epilepsy becomes more difficult the older a person is diagnosed, the current findings indicated that this is inadequate. Rather, it is more suitable to consider that those living with adult-onset epilepsy have a specific experience of the condition and particular support needs, given that they once lived their lives as people without epilepsy

A randomised crossover trial comparing Thai and Swedish massage for fatigue and depleted energy

SUMMARY\ud Background\ud The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and social constructions of Thai\ud massage (TM) and Swedish massage (SM) for patients experiencing fatigue or\ud depleted energy.\ud Method\ud Twenty participants were randomised to receive three once-weekly TM treatments\ud and three once-weekly SM treatments, with crossover after three massages.\ud Symptom checklists were administered at three time points and included\ud Activation-Deactivation Adjective Check List and VAS Scale. Qualitative data\ud were collected through semi-structured interviews and participants’ diary entries.\ud Results\ud Both massage types enhanced physical, emotional and mental wellbeing through\ud improved sleep, relaxation, relief of stress and relief of muscular tension. TM\ud alone showed specific energising and psychological stimulation results, along with\ud carry-over effect and longer lasting benefits. Ninety-five percent of participants\ud found relief from their initial reason presenting symptoms\ud Conclusion\ud TM or SM can relieve symptoms of fatigue or low energy by releasing stress,\ud promoting relaxation, relieving muscular aches and pains and improving energy.\ud SM results in a larger effect in relaxation and improved sleep whereas TM results\ud in a larger effect in energising, rejuvenating and mentally stimulating effects.\ud Keywords: Complementary Therapies; Therapy, Soft Tissue; Massage; Cross-\ud Over Studie