Abstracts

Rationale: Self-Management interventions can improve patients’ medical, psychosocial, and emotional management. PACES in Epilepsy addressed methodological concerns from previous studies with needs assessment data (n=165) to derive self-management program content and features for evaluation via randomized control trial. PACES participants (n=38) improved vs controls (n=40) on Epilepsy Self-Management (ESMS), Epilepsy Self-Efficacy (ESES), and Quality of Life in Epilepsy-31 (QOLIE-31), <.001 to <.002. At six months, the PACES participants remained improved vs. controls on the ESMS, and several QOLIE.31 scales, p<.01 to p<.04. Attrition was low <8% and all program satisfaction level ratings were high, exceeding 4.0/5.0. In the current study, CDC funding was further provided to increase sample size (n=200), expand the number of epilepsy center treatment sites from one to four (including a VA ECoE), evaluate program delivery formats (in-person vs phone) to ensure equivalency, assess impact on epilepsy status, and establish sustained benefit at one year. Methods: Participants were adults (current n=102; anticipated n=150) with active seizures and no substantive intellectual impairment/psychosis. They were randomly assigned to intervention or treatment-as-usual groups. Phone vs on-site intervention format involved participant choice. The intervention is an 8 week group of 5-7 adults co-led by a psychologist and a peer with epilepsy meeting for 60 minutes/week. Topics include optimizing medical, psychosocial, and emotional functioning to include community integration. During the 12 mo. follow-up period, booster calls were made every 6-7 weeks to support goal(s) maintenance and resource needs. Outcome measures: ESMS, ESES, QOLIE-31, PHQ-9, GAD-7, and seizure status (baseline, post-intervention (8 weeks), 6 and 12 months). Results: Findings will be reviewed for all treatment vs control group participants at program completion, 6 months, and 12 months (n>