Religiosity and spirituality in patients with epilepsy

ABSTRACT Religiosity and spirituality (R/S) are widely regarded as important allies against illness and suffering in general. Findings in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) suggest the temporal lobe as the anatomical-functional basis of religious experiences. Both R/S are relevant in patients with epilepsy (PWE) since epilepsy can lead to psychosocial issues for a significant portion of patients and their families. Objective: To investigate R/S in PWE, as well as the impact of different epileptic syndromes on patients' R/S. Methods: One hundred PWE and 50 healthy volunteers matched for age, sex and educational level were submitted to an interview, as well as three previously validated questionnaires: Index of Core Spiritual Experience (INSPIRIT-R), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory (QOLIE-31). Results: PWE's and control's mean ages were 35.9 ± 12.4 vs. 36.3 ± 18.1 years, mean schooling was 8.9 ± 3.7 vs. 10.1 ± 4.2 years. The mean age of epilepsy onset was 14.5 ± 12.1 and monthly frequency of seizures was 5.9 ± 12.6. INSPIRIT-R's scores were not statistically significantly different between patients and controls (3.0 ± 0.8 vs. 3.0 ± 0.8); however, INSPIRIT-R's scores were significantly higher in TLE patients when compared with other epilepsy syndromes (3.2 ± 0.7 vs. 2.8 ± 0.9; p = 0.04). Conclusion: Temporal lobe epilepsy patients have higher levels of R/S.

摘要：宗教虔诚性与灵性（Religiosity and spirituality，R/S）普遍被视为对抗各类疾病与苦痛的重要助力。针对颞叶癫痫（temporal lobe epilepsy，TLE）的相关研究显示，颞叶是宗教体验的解剖-功能基础。由于癫痫会对相当比例的患者及其家属造成社会心理问题，因此宗教虔诚性与灵性在癫痫患者（patients with epilepsy，PWE）中具有重要意义。研究目的：探究癫痫患者的宗教虔诚性与灵性状况，以及不同癫痫综合征对患者宗教虔诚性与灵性的影响。研究方法：招募100名癫痫患者与50名在年龄、性别与受教育程度上相匹配的健康志愿者，对所有受试者开展访谈，并采用三份已通过效度验证的问卷：核心灵性体验量表（Index of Core Spiritual Experience，INSPIRIT-R）、医院焦虑抑郁量表（Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale，HADS）以及癫痫患者生活质量量表（Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory，QOLIE-31）。研究结果：癫痫患者与健康对照者的平均年龄分别为35.9±12.4岁与36.3±18.1岁，平均受教育年限分别为8.9±3.7年与10.1±4.2年。癫痫患者的平均发病年龄为14.5±12.1岁，月均癫痫发作频率为5.9±12.6次。两组受试者的核心灵性体验量表得分无统计学显著性差异（3.0±0.8 vs 3.0±0.8）；但相较于其他癫痫综合征患者，颞叶癫痫患者的核心灵性体验量表得分显著更高（3.2±0.7 vs 2.8±0.9；p=0.04）。研究结论：颞叶癫痫患者的宗教虔诚性与灵性水平更高。