Telephone-Based Support Programs for People With Epilepsy and Depression

This study is testing two telephone-based support programs for people with epilepsy (a brain disorder that causes seizures) who also experience symptoms of depression. One program, UPLIFT, combines cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness. The other, BOOST, is a group discussion-based support program. Both programs last 8 weeks, with weekly one-hour phone sessions in small groups. The study aims to see if these programs can reduce depressive symptoms and improve quality of life and seizure control over 12 months. You might be able to join if you are an adult (18-99 years old) with epilepsy for at least a year, speak English or Spanish, and have elevated depressive symptoms.

Study design
This is a randomized controlled trial comparing two telephone-based programs, UPLIFT and BOOST, with 120 participants.
What's involved
You would participate in 8 weekly one-hour group telephone sessions. Your depressive symptoms will be measured at the beginning, 3 months, and 6 months.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your depressive symptoms, quality of life, and seizures will be assessed over 12 months.

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NCT05082181

Telephone-Based Support Programs for People With Epilepsy

Recruiting
NAAges 18–99InterventionalSupportive care
NYU Langone Health
~120 participants
Updated 2026-02-17 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:UPLIFT (Using Practice and Learning to Increase Favorable Thoughts)BOOST (Bringing Out Our Strength Together)

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Presence of clinically significant depressive symptoms
Measured over Baseline Visit
+3 more outcomes measured
Epilepsy
1 sites across 1 states
New York1
  • Daniel Friedman, MD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · NYU Langone Health
  • Tanya Spruill, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · NYU Langone Health

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

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

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)
  • Presence of clinically significant depressive symptomsBaseline 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.

  • Presence of clinically significant depressive symptoms3 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.

  • Presence of clinically significant depressive symptoms6 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.

  • Presence of clinically significant depressive symptoms12 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.