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.

Object Details

• Alternative title: Religiosidade e espiritualidade em pacientes com epilepsia
• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Religiosity and spirituality in patients with epilepsy ; volume:77 ; number:05 ; year:2019 ; pages:335-340 ; Arquivos de neuro-psiquiatria ; 77, Heft 05 (2019), 335-340

Contributors, Places and Time

• Contributor: Rigon, Isadora Barazzetti ; Calado, Gabriel de Almeida ; Linhares, Lucas Savaris ; Cantu, Pietro Lentz Martins ; Moritz, Jorge Luis Wollstein ; Wolf, Peter ; Lin, Katia

Further information

• DOI: 10.1590/0004-282X20190055
• URN: urn:nbn:de:101:1-2023100510404100061288
• Rights: Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 14.08.2025, 11:01 AM CEST