Preventing Depression in People With Epilepsy: an Extension of Project UPLIFT

Preventing Depression in People With Epilepsy: an Extension of Project UPLIFT

Project UPLIFT, a home-based treatment for depression in people with epilepsy, was designed to be delivered to groups by telephone or Web. The Project UPLIFT intervention materials were demonstrated to be effective in treating depression among people with epilepsy in Georgia. This project will assess whether the materials are also effective for preventing depression among people with epilepsy, and will extend the project beyond Georgia to Michigan, Texas, and Washington.

The study is a pilot test of Project UPLIFT for depression prevention during which the acceptability and estimates of effectiveness of the intervention, presented in the Web and telephone modes, are assessed.

Inclusion Criteria:

• diagnosis of epilepsy
• at least three months post initial diagnosis of epilepsy and either on medication or permission of the physician
• symptoms of depression, but absence of moderate-to-severe depression, (8 < CES-D < 27)
• 21 years of age and older
• English speaking
• had access to a telephone
• mentally stable, as determined by a score of > 26 on the Telephone Mini-Mental Status Exam (T-MMSE)
• willing to participate
• willing to complete assessments three times

Exclusion Criteria:

• no diagnosis of epilepsy
• less than 3 months since diagnosis of epilepsy
• no depressive symptom (CES-D <8)
• severe depression (CES-D > 27)
• suicidal ideation
• previous participation in Project UPLIFT