The Effects of Mediterranean Diet on the Epileptic Population with Depression

Author

Celina Navarro, The University of Texas at El Paso

Date of Award

5-2024

Degree Type

DNP Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing (ND)

Department

Nursing

Chair

Hector R. Morales

Abstract

Background: People with epilepsy often develop depression during the course of their disease progression. This condition is multifactorial, often related to the unpredictability of their disease, the lack of control on their symptoms, and the medications they use to treat their seizures. Mental health services continue to be insufficient for our growing border region, and patients with epilepsy, often will lack the proper mental health management due to mental health provider shortage. Multiple medications can be used to successfully treat depression in the general population, however people with epilepsy often will struggle as anti-seizure drugs can interact with antidepressants. Also, the financial burden of multiple medications makes it more challenging for these patients to receive successful care.

Aims/Methods: Bayes et al., 2022, showed the implementation of a low inflammation diet like the Mediterranean Diet (MD) can decrease symptoms of depression if properly followed. At a mainly Hispanic border town’s Neurology clinic, a quality improvement (QI) project was implemented to address depression-like symptoms on epileptic patients. Patients were screened for depression with the Neurological Disorders Depression Inventory in Epilepsy (NDDIE) tool. If they scored 15 points or higher, they were referred to a mental health provider and prescribed the MD while waiting for their appointment. The project was implemented over 6 weeks.

Results: Results revealed most patients remained stable on their depressive symptomology, and furthermore some improved on their scores after a short period of implementation of the MD.

Conclusions/ Implications for practice: If more time were allowed for these patients to follow the MD, the project will most likely demonstrate that, a more significant improvement can be achieved.

Recommended Citation

Navarro, Celina, "The Effects of Mediterranean Diet on the Epileptic Population with Depression" (2024). Cohort XII. 3.
https://scholarworks.utep.edu/cohort_12/3