Adapting Project UPLIFT for Hispanic Patients With Epilepsy II

Adapting Project UPLIFT (Using Practice and Learning to Increase Favorable Thoughts) is for Hispanic Patients With Epilepsy II

The purpose of this study is to adapt Project UPLIFT for Hispanic adults with epilepsy and depression. Project UPLIFT (Using Practice and Learning to Increase Favorable Thoughts) is a home-based intervention that teaches cognitive and mindfulness skills to people with epilepsy by phone to reduce their depression and improve quality of life (QOL); it was developed at Emory University with CDC funding. The purpose of this study is to adapt Project UPLIFT for Hispanic adults with epilepsy and depression. Project UPLIFT (Using Practice and Learning to Increase Favorable Thoughts) is a home-based intervention that teaches cognitive and mindfulness skills to people with epilepsy by phone to reduce their depression and improve quality of life (QOL); it was developed at Emory University with CDC funding.

The goal of this study is to adapt Project UPLIFT for Hispanic adults with epilepsy and depression. A 2-arm randomized control trial will be conducted to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability and effects of Project UPLIFT versus usual care (UC) in Hispanic patients with epilepsy.

The specific aim of this study is: To evaluate the feasibility, acceptability and short- and long-term effects of the adapted intervention on depression and other outcomes in 72 English- and Spanish-speaking Hispanic epilepsy patients.

Inclusion Criteria:

• self-identified as Hispanic
• English or Spanish speaking
• diagnosis of epilepsy for at least one year post diagnosis
• willing to participate in 8 one-hour telephone sessions every week for eight weeks.
• willing to be audio-taped
• Elevated depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) score >13

Exclusion Criteria:

• Severe depression (CES-D > 37)
• Active suicidal ideation
• Significant cognitive impairment (evident during screening)