Telephone-Based Support Programs for People With Epilepsy

February 13, 2026 updated by: NYU Langone Health

NYU Managing Epilepsy Well (MEW) Study: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Telephone-Based Support for People With Epilepsy

This is a two-arm randomized controlled trial to compare telephone-based depression self-management (UPLIFT) to telephone-based support groups (BOOST). A sample of 120 English- and Spanish-speaking people with epilepsy (PWE) with elevated depressive symptoms will be enrolled. Both interventions are 8-week programs delivered in one-hour weekly sessions to groups of about 6 participants. Changes in depressive symptoms, quality of life and seizures will be assessed over 12 months. The trial will also examine mediators and moderators of treatment effects.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

The objectives of the trial are:

  1. To test effects of UPLIFT versus BOOST on changes in depressive symptoms (primary outcome) in PWE over 12 months.
  2. To test effects of UPLIFT versus BOOST on changes in quality of life and seizures (secondary outcomes) in PWE over 12 months.
  3. To test whether intervention effects are mediated by increases in mindfulness and decreases in rumination.
  4. To test whether intervention effects are moderated by participant characteristics and facilitator characteristics.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
120

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

  • United States
    • New York
      • New York, New York, United States, 10016
        • Recruiting
        • NYU Langone Health
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Tanya Spruill, PhD

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years to 99 years (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • adult (≥18 years of age);
  • diagnosed with epilepsy for at least one year;
  • fluent in English or Spanish;
  • elevated depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 score ≥10);
  • willing to participate in audiotaped group telephone sessions

Exclusion Criteria:

  • severe depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 ≥20);
  • active suicidal ideation (PHQ-9 item #9 ≥1 or otherwise reported during screening);
  • active psychotic disorder (psychiatric diagnosis or antipsychotic medications in the EHR);
  • significant cognitive impairment (indicated in EHR or evident during screening)

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Arm 1: UPLIFT (Using Practice and Learning to Increase Favorable Thoughts)
UPLIFT is a telephone-based depression self-management program for people with epilepsy.
Behavioral: UPLIFT (Using Practice and Learning to Increase Favorable Thoughts)
UPLIFT is an 8-week program that combines cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness techniques and is delivered to small groups of participants by phone. 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. CBT-related skills include thought monitoring, identifying cognitive distortions, problem identification, goal setting, and identifying supports. Relaxation exercises are also used for coping and to facilitate awareness of the body. Mindfulness activities include attention to breath, sights and sounds and other meditations. Audio guides are provided for home practice of mindfulness exercises.
Active Comparator: Arm 2: BOOST (Bringing Out Our Strength Together)
BOOST is a telephone-based support program for people with epilepsy.
Behavioral: BOOST (Bringing Out Our Strength Together)
BOOST is a telephone-based support program delivered in 8 weekly group sessions. Each weekly session is 1 hour long and is comprised of a check-in period, introduction of the week's topic, and group discussion. Weekly BOOST session topics include: (1) personal experience of epilepsy; (2) personal experience of mood problems (depression, anxiety, stress); (3) seizure triggers; (4) concerns related to epilepsy treatment (e.g., medication adherence, side effects); (5) changes in seizures over time; (6) the impact of behavior (e.g., sleep, substance use) on seizures; (7) social relationships and epilepsy; and (8) review of the BOOST experience.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Presence of clinically significant depressive symptoms
Time Frame: Baseline Visit
The primary outcome is a dichotomous measure of depressive symptoms based on a Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) score of <5 versus ≥5. The PHQ-9 assesses depressive symptoms in the past two weeks. Total scores range from 0-27 with recommended cutoffs for mild (5-9), moderate (10-14), moderately severe (15-19) and severe (≥20) depressive symptoms. A PHQ-9 score of <5 indicates absence of clinically significant depressive symptoms.
Baseline Visit
Presence of clinically significant depressive symptoms
Time Frame: 3 month visit
The primary outcome is a dichotomous measure of depressive symptoms based on a Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) score of <5 versus ≥5. The PHQ-9 assesses depressive symptoms in the past two weeks. Total scores range from 0-27 with recommended cutoffs for mild (5-9), moderate (10-14), moderately severe (15-19) and severe (≥20) depressive symptoms. A PHQ-9 score of <5 indicates absence of clinically significant depressive symptoms.
3 month visit
Presence of clinically significant depressive symptoms
Time Frame: 6 month visit
The primary outcome is a dichotomous measure of depressive symptoms based on a Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) score of <5 versus ≥5. The PHQ-9 assesses depressive symptoms in the past two weeks. Total scores range from 0-27 with recommended cutoffs for mild (5-9), moderate (10-14), moderately severe (15-19) and severe (≥20) depressive symptoms. A PHQ-9 score of <5 indicates absence of clinically significant depressive symptoms.
6 month visit
Presence of clinically significant depressive symptoms
Time Frame: 12 month visit
The primary outcome is a dichotomous measure of depressive symptoms based on a Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) score of <5 versus ≥5. The PHQ-9 assesses depressive symptoms in the past two weeks. Total scores range from 0-27 with recommended cutoffs for mild (5-9), moderate (10-14), moderately severe (15-19) and severe (≥20) depressive symptoms. A PHQ-9 score of <5 indicates absence of clinically significant depressive symptoms.
12 month visit

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in depressive symptom severity
Time Frame: Baseline Visit, 3 month visit, 6 month visit, 12 month visit
Continuous PHQ-9 scores will be used to evaluate the magnitude of change in depressive symptoms. The PHQ-9 consists of nine questions that ask respondents how often they've "been bothered by any of the following problems" in the past two weeks. The questions address sleep, energy, appetite, and other possible symptoms of depression. Scores are calculated based on how frequently a person experiences these feelings. Score of 1-4 is considered minimal depression; score of 5-9 is considered mild depression; score of 10-14 is considered moderate depression; score of 15-19 is considered moderately severe depression; score of 20-27 is considered severe depression.
Baseline Visit, 3 month visit, 6 month visit, 12 month visit
Change in seizure frequency
Time Frame: Baseline Visit, 3 month visit, 6 month visit, 12 month visit
This will be assessed by self-reported 30-day seizure counts.
Baseline Visit, 3 month visit, 6 month visit, 12 month visit
Change in seizure severity
Time Frame: Baseline Visit, 3 month visit, 6 month visit, 12 month visit
This will be assessed by a 12-item version of the Liverpool Seizure Severity Scale. The possible scoring ranges are between 7 and 32 for the percept scale and between 10 and 48 for the ictal/postictal scale. The higher the score the more severe the seizures.
Baseline Visit, 3 month visit, 6 month visit, 12 month visit
Change in disease-specific quality of life
Time Frame: Baseline Visit, 3 month visit, 6 month visit, 12 month visit
This will be assessed by the Quality of Life in Epilepsy-10 (QOLIE-10) questionnaire, a 10-item measure of epilepsy-specific aspects of qualify of life. The QOLIE-10-P is a brief survey of health-related quality of life for adults with epilepsy. There are 10 questions about health and daily activities, one question about how much distress you feel about problems and worries related to epilepsy, and a review of what bothers you most.
Baseline Visit, 3 month visit, 6 month visit, 12 month visit
Change in general health-related quality of life
Time Frame: Baseline Visit, 3 month visit, 6 month visit, 12 month visit
This will be assessed by the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS-10) questionnaire, a 10-item measure of global health (physical, mental and social functioning) developed by NIH as an indicator for Healthy People 2020. The PROMIS Global-10 is a 10-item patient-reported questionnaire in which the response options are presented as 5-point (as well as a single 11-point) rating scales. The results of the questions are used to calculate two summary scores: a Global Physical Health Score and a Global Mental Health score. These scores are then standardized to the general population, using the "T-Score". The average "T-Score" for the United States population is 50 points, with a standard deviation of 10 points. Higher scores indicate a healthier patient.
Baseline Visit, 3 month visit, 6 month visit, 12 month visit

Other Outcome Measures

Other Outcome Measures

For clinical trials, a planned measurement described in the protocol that is used to determine the effect of an intervention/treatment on participants. For observational studies, a measurement or observation that is used to describe patterns of diseases or traits, or associations with exposures, risk factors, or treatment. Types of outcome measures include primary outcome measure and secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in perceived social support
Time Frame: Baseline Visit, 3 month visit, 6 month visit, 12 month visit
This will be assessed by the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List, a 12-item measure of the perceived availability of social support resources (appraisal, belonging, tangible support). The ISEL-12 can be scored by summing the items to create an overall social support score; three subscale scores representing appraisal, belonging, and tangible social support have also been proposed.
Baseline Visit, 3 month visit, 6 month visit, 12 month visit
Change in mindfulness
Time Frame: Baseline Visit, 3 month visit, 6 month visit, 12 month visit
This will be assessed by the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire Short Form, a 15-item measure that assesses five dimensions of trait mindfulness: observing, describing, acting with awareness, non-judging of inner experience and non-reactivity to inner experience. The following is the scoring information: Observing items: 1, 6, 11; Describe items: 2, 7R, 12 ; Acting with awareness items: 3R, 8R, 13R ; Non-judging items: 4R, 9R, 14R; Non-reactivity items: 5, 10, 15.
Baseline Visit, 3 month visit, 6 month visit, 12 month visit
Change in rumination
Time Frame: Baseline Visit, 3 month visit, 6 month visit, 12 month visit
This will be assessed by the Ruminative Responses Scale, a 22-item measure that assesses how often participants engage in ruminative behaviors and cognitions in response to feeling sad or depressed.Each item are rated on a 4-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (never) to 4 (always). The total score ranges from 22 to 88, with higher scores indicating higher degrees of ruminative symptoms.
Baseline Visit, 3 month visit, 6 month visit, 12 month visit
Change in perceived stress
Time Frame: Baseline Visit, 3 month visit, 6 month visit, 12 month visit
This will be assessed by the Perceived Stress Scale, a 10-item measure of the degree which situations in one's life are appraised as overwhelming, uncontrollable and unpredictable over the last month. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) is a classic stress assessment instrument. Scores ranging from 0-13 would be considered low stress. Scores ranging from 14-26 would be considered moderate stress. Scores ranging from 27-40 would be considered high perceived stress.
Baseline Visit, 3 month visit, 6 month visit, 12 month visit
Change in anxiety
Time Frame: Baseline Visit, 3 month visit, 6 month visit, 12 month visit
This will be assessed by the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 Scale, a 7-item measure of anxiety symptoms in the past two weeks that is used to screen for clinically significant anxiety. This is calculated by assigning scores of 0, 1, 2, and 3 to the response categories, respectively, of "not at all," "several days," "more than half the days," and "nearly every day." GAD-7 total score for the seven items ranges from 0 to 21. The higher the score, the greater the anxiety
Baseline Visit, 3 month visit, 6 month visit, 12 month visit
Change in epilepsy self management
Time Frame: Baseline Visit, 3 month visit, 6 month visit, 12 month visit
This will be assessed by the Epilepsy Self-Management Scale, a 38-item measure of the frequency of use of epilepsy self-management behaviors. The ESMS scores range from 38 to 190, with higher scores reflecting an increased utilization of epilepsy self-management techniques.
Baseline Visit, 3 month visit, 6 month visit, 12 month visit
Change in self-compassion
Time Frame: Baseline Visit, 3 month visit, 6 month visit, 12 month visit
This will be assessed by the Self-Compassion Scale, a 12-item measure of thoughts, emotions and behaviors associated with self-compassion. Average overall self-compassion scores tend to be around 3.0 on the 1-5 scale, a score of 1-2.5 indicates low self-compassion, 2.5-3.5 indicates moderate self-compassion and 3.5-5.0 means high self compassion.
Baseline Visit, 3 month visit, 6 month visit, 12 month visit
Change in healthcare utilization
Time Frame: Baseline Visit, 3 month visit, 6 month visit, 12 month visit
Self-reported outpatient (neurology/epilepsy and primary care/other specialist) and inpatient encounters will be obtained at each study visit.
Baseline Visit, 3 month visit, 6 month visit, 12 month visit

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
NYU Langone Health

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Daniel Friedman, MD, NYU Langone Health
  • Principal Investigator: Tanya Spruill, PhD, NYU Langone Health

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
November 9, 2021

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
August 31, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
August 31, 2027

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
September 30, 2021

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
October 14, 2021

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
October 18, 2021

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
February 17, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
February 13, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
February 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • 21-00446

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

YES

IPD Plan Description

Individual participant data collected during the trial, after deidentification.

IPD Sharing Time Frame

Beginning 9 months and ending 36 months following article publication or as required by a condition of awards and agreements supporting the research.

IPD Sharing Access Criteria

The investigator who proposed to use the data. Upon reasonable request. Requests should be directed to Tanya.Spruill@nyulangone.org. To gain access, data requestors will need to sign a data access agreement.

IPD Sharing Supporting Information Type

  • STUDY_PROTOCOL
  • SAP

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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