NYU Epilepsy Self-Management Study

BEHAVIORAL

UPLIFT

UPLIFT is an 8-week epilepsy self-management programs delivered to small groups of people with epilepsy (PWE) by Webex. UPLIFT is focused on self-management of depressive symptoms. Each weekly session is 1 hour long and is comprised of a check-in period, teaching on the week's topic, group discussion, a skill-building exercise and a home practice assignment.

BEHAVIORAL

PACES

PACES is an 8-week epilepsy self-management programs delivered to small groups of people with epilepsy (PWE) by Webex. PACES focuses on general epilepsy self-management. Each weekly session is 1 hour long and is comprised of a check-in period, teaching on the week's topic, group discussion, a skill-building exercise and a home practice assignment.

BEHAVIORAL

Enhanced Usual Care

Participants receive referrals to local epilepsy support groups.

Number of Participants with Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) Score <5

Time frame: Baseline

RCT 1 participants only. The PHQ-9 is a 9-item assessment of depression; each item is rated on a scale from 0-3. The total score is the sum of item responses and ranges from 0-27; higher scores indicate greater levels of depression. The primary outcome is the count of participants who score less than 5 on the PHQ-9 (i.e., absence of clinically significant depressive symptoms).

Number of Participants with PHQ-9 Score <5

Time frame: Post-Intervention Month 3 Follow-up (Approximately Month 5)

RCT 1 participants only. The PHQ-9 is a 9-item assessment of depression; each item is rated on a scale from 0-3. The total score is the sum of item responses and ranges from 0-27; higher scores indicate greater levels of depression. The primary outcome is the count of participants who score less than 5 on the PHQ-9 (i.e., absence of clinically significant depressive symptoms).

Number of Participants with PHQ-9 Score <5

Time frame: Post-Intervention Month 6 Follow-up (Approximately Month 8)

RCT 1 participants only. The PHQ-9 is a 9-item assessment of depression; each item is rated on a scale from 0-3. The total score is the sum of item responses and ranges from 0-27; higher scores indicate greater levels of depression. The primary outcome is the count of participants who score less than 5 on the PHQ-9 (i.e., absence of clinically significant depressive symptoms).

Number of Participants with PHQ-9 Score <5

Time frame: Post-Intervention Month 12 Follow-up (Approximately Month 14)

RCT 1 participants only. The PHQ-9 is a 9-item assessment of depression; each item is rated on a scale from 0-3. The total score is the sum of item responses and ranges from 0-27; higher scores indicate greater levels of depression. The primary outcome is the count of participants who score less than 5 on the PHQ-9 (i.e., absence of clinically significant depressive symptoms).

Composite PHQ-9 and Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory-31 (QOLIE-31) Score

Time frame: Baseline

RCT 2 participants only. The QOLIE-31 is a 31-item questionnaire evaluating an epilepsy patient's quality of life (QOL) perception. The overall score is derived by weighing and then summing the 7 domain scores, which correspond with the item responses. The overall score is converted to a final, 0-100 point score, where higher converted scores reflect better QOL. The PHQ-9 is a 9-item assessment of depression; each item is rated on a scale from 0-3. The total score is the sum of item responses and ranges from 0-27; higher scores indicate greater levels of depression. The scores from both the PHQ-9 and QOLIE-3 are re-scaled into a combined, Composite PHQ+QOLIE Score ranging from 0-100; higher values indicate more favorable outcomes.

Composite PHQ-9 and Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory-31 (QOLIE-31) Score

Time frame: Post-Intervention Month 3 Follow-up (Approximately Month 5)

RCT 2 participants only. The QOLIE-31 is a 31-item questionnaire evaluating an epilepsy patient's quality of life (QOL) perception. The overall score is derived by weighing and then summing the 7 domain scores, which correspond with the item responses. The overall score is converted to a final, 0-100 point score, where higher converted scores reflect better QOL. The PHQ-9 is a 9-item assessment of depression; each item is rated on a scale from 0-3. The total score is the sum of item responses and ranges from 0-27; higher scores indicate greater levels of depression. The scores from both the PHQ-9 and QOLIE-3 are re-scaled into a combined, Composite PHQ+QOLIE Score ranging from 0-100; higher values indicate more favorable outcomes.

Composite PHQ-9 and QOLIE-31 Score

Time frame: Post-Intervention Month 6 Follow-up (Approximately Month 8)

RCT 2 participants only. The QOLIE-31 is a 31-item questionnaire evaluating an epilepsy patient's quality of life (QOL) perception. The overall score is derived by weighing and then summing the 7 domain scores, which correspond with the item responses. The overall score is converted to a final, 0-100 point score, where higher converted scores reflect better QOL. The PHQ-9 is a 9-item assessment of depression; each item is rated on a scale from 0-3. The total score is the sum of item responses and ranges from 0-27; higher scores indicate greater levels of depression. The scores from both the PHQ-9 and QOLIE-3 are re-scaled into a combined, Composite PHQ+QOLIE Score ranging from 0-100; higher values indicate more favorable outcomes.

Composite PHQ-9 and QOLIE-31 Score

Time frame: Post-Intervention Month 12 Follow-up (Approximately Month 14)

RCT 2 participants only. The QOLIE-31 is a 31-item questionnaire evaluating an epilepsy patient's quality of life (QOL) perception. The overall score is derived by weighing and then summing the 7 domain scores, which correspond with the item responses. The overall score is converted to a final, 0-100 point score, where higher converted scores reflect better QOL. The PHQ-9 is a 9-item assessment of depression; each item is rated on a scale from 0-3. The total score is the sum of item responses and ranges from 0-27; higher scores indicate greater levels of depression. The scores from both the PHQ-9 and QOLIE-3 are re-scaled into a combined, Composite PHQ+QOLIE Score ranging from 0-100; higher values indicate more favorable outcomes.

5-level EQ-5D version (EQ-5D-5L) Score

Time frame: Baseline

The EQ-5D-5L is a standardized questionnaire used to measure health-related quality of life (HRQoL). It consists of two parts: a descriptive system and a visual analogue scale (EQ VAS). The descriptive system assesses health across five dimensions: mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression, each with five levels of severity. The EQ VAS provides a self-assessment of overall health on a scale of 0 to 100, where higher scores indicate better health. The EQ-5D-5L will be used to derive utility values to estimate quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) for cost-utility analyses.

EQ-5D-5L Score

Time frame: Post-Intervention Month 3 Follow-up (Approximately Month 5)

The EQ-5D-5L is a standardized questionnaire used to measure health-related quality of life (HRQoL). It consists of two parts: a descriptive system and a visual analogue scale (EQ VAS). The descriptive system assesses health across five dimensions: mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression, each with five levels of severity. The EQ VAS provides a self-assessment of overall health on a scale of 0 to 100, where higher scores indicate better health. The EQ-5D-5L will be used to derive utility values to estimate quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) for cost-utility analyses.

EQ-5D-5L Score

Time frame: Post-Intervention Month 6 Follow-up (Approximately Month 8)

The EQ-5D-5L is a standardized questionnaire used to measure health-related quality of life (HRQoL). It consists of two parts: a descriptive system and a visual analogue scale (EQ VAS). The descriptive system assesses health across five dimensions: mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression, each with five levels of severity. The EQ VAS provides a self-assessment of overall health on a scale of 0 to 100, where higher scores indicate better health. The EQ-5D-5L will be used to derive utility values to estimate quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) for cost-utility analyses.

EQ-5D-5L Score

Time frame: Post-Intervention Month 12 Follow-up (Approximately Month 14)

The EQ-5D-5L is a standardized questionnaire used to measure health-related quality of life (HRQoL). It consists of two parts: a descriptive system and a visual analogue scale (EQ VAS). The descriptive system assesses health across five dimensions: mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression, each with five levels of severity. The EQ VAS provides a self-assessment of overall health on a scale of 0 to 100, where higher scores indicate better health. The EQ-5D-5L will be used to derive utility values to estimate quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) for cost-utility analyses.

What is a clinical trial?

A clinical trial is a research study that tests new medical treatments, drugs, devices, or procedures to determine their safety and effectiveness. Trials are carefully designed and monitored to protect participants while advancing medical knowledge.

Is it safe to participate?

Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. Trials must be reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals throughout the study. You can withdraw at any time if you choose.

Will I be compensated?

Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time, travel expenses, and inconvenience. The specific compensation varies by study and will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is typically provided at no cost to participants.

Will I receive a placebo instead of treatment?

When effective treatment exists, participants typically receive either the standard treatment plus the study intervention, or the standard treatment plus placebo. You would not be denied effective care. Placebos are primarily used when no proven treatment is available, or in addition to standard care. Your trial consent form will clearly explain what treatments you may receive.

Can I leave a trial if I change my mind?

Absolutely. Participation in clinical trials is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.

How long does a clinical trial last?

Trial duration varies widely depending on the study design and purpose. Some trials last just a few weeks, while others may continue for months or years. The study coordinator will provide specific timeline information during your screening call.