Background: Epilepsy is one of the most prevalent brain disorders affecting 0.5-1% of people in different societies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of coping skills training on reducing stress in patients with epilepsy.

Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial study, 60 patients with epilepsy were selected randomly from a list of the members of Isfahan Epilepsy Association in the second half of 2011. The participants were divided into the experimental and control groups (n=30 in each group). The training and practice of stress management were conducted one two - hour session per week for eight weeks . Before and after the training and practice, Lazarus-Folkman coping questionnaire and Depression, Anxiety, Stress scale (DASS) were completed for both groups.

Results: The results showed that 60% and 53% of the cases were women in the experimental and control groups, respectively. The age of most respondents in the experimental (36.7%) and control (30%) groups was in the range of 18-24 years. Results revealed that coping skills training can reduce tension in patients with epilepsy (P<0.01). Moreover, coping skills training significantly affected all subscales of coping strategies scores except for avoidance, self-control and responsibility.

Conclusion: Findings showed that coping skills training can be recommended as an add-on treatment plan in patients suffering from epilepsy.