Exploring the Outcomes of An Online Mindfulness-Based Program on The Mental Health of Children with Epilepsy and Their Parents

Children with epilepsy face several comorbid mental health, cognitive and social challenges in addition to the biological impacts of their illness. They have higher rates of internalizing problems and executive functioning challenges compared to their typically developing peers. The impact of epilepsy is not limited to the child themselves, but also has significant impacts on their family members. Parents of children with epilepsy have higher amounts of internalizing problems and parent stress compared to parents of children without epilepsy. This study explored the impacts of an online, eight-week concurrent, mindfulness-based program, the Making Mindfulness Matter (M3©) program, on the mental health and well-being of children with epilepsy and their parents. A randomized controlled trial study design was used to compare an intervention group receiving the M3© program to a treatment-as-usual control group. Thirty-six parent-child dyads were randomized to the intervention group and 37 were randomized to the control group. Parents completed measures assessing their child’s internalizing problems, behaviour, and executive functioning, in addition to their own internalizing problems and parent stress prior to the program, at the completion of the program, and nine weeks after the completion of the program. Both statistically significant and clinically meaningful change were explored. Results demonstrate that children who participated in the M3© program had improved executive functioning, compared to those in the control group, after the program. Further, children who participated in the program had improved internalizing problems and behaviour at the completion of the program and nine weeks after the program when compared to before the program. Clinically, there was movement towards improved outcomes on all child measures. The impact of the M3© program on parent mental health and well-being was not statistically significant. Clinically, some improvements in parent anxiety and areas of parent stress were seen after the program and nine weeks later. Taken together, this study filled the gap in the literature regarding the use of mindfulness interventions for children with epilepsy and their families. The M3© program showed promise in supporting the mental health and well-being of children with epilepsy.