To evaluate the effectiveness of a combined intervention on knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of people with epilepsy and their families in rural areas of China, random samples of people with epilepsy and their family members from the intervention populations completed questionnaires prior to the intervention (2002, N = 975) and 2 years later (N = 950). There was no significant difference in important demographic variables between the two samples. KAP levels of patients and their family members improved over the study period. Worry about seizures, discrimination, and medical costs are the principal factors in patients' psychological burden. Psychological burden and inability to concentrate at work are the main influences of the disease on family members. Reduction of the psychological burden of patients and their family members is a significant aspect of treatment to which more attention should be paid in similar future interventions. (c) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.