Depression self-management in people with epilepsy: Adapting project UPLIFT for underserved populations

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Public Health
• Mental Health

Background:

• Epilepsy prevalence affects three million adults, with higher rates observed in Black and Hispanic populations.
• Depression is a common comorbidity in people with epilepsy (PWE), impacting up to 55% of this group.
• Culturally adapting evidence-based interventions is crucial for reducing health disparities in diverse PWE populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the adaptation process of Project UPLIFT, a distance-delivered mental health self-management intervention, for Black and Hispanic PWE.
• To identify key lessons learned during the adaptation, emphasizing community engagement and linguistic relevance.
• To suggest that systematic adaptation can make evidence-based interventions effective for new cultural settings and diverse populations.

Main Methods:

• Exploratory process of adapting Project UPLIFT, a self-management skills training program.
• Focus on cultural relevance for Black and Hispanic populations with epilepsy.
• Incorporation of community engagement and attention to language.

Main Results:

• The adaptation process highlighted the importance of community engagement and culturally sensitive language.
• Suggests that evidence-based interventions can be successfully adapted for diverse populations.
• Potential for adapted Project UPLIFT to reduce depression burden in varied PWE groups.

Conclusions:

• Systematic cultural adaptation of evidence-based interventions like Project UPLIFT is feasible and necessary.
• Tailoring interventions to specific cultural needs and contexts enhances their public health impact.
• Successful adaptation can expand strategies for managing depression in people with epilepsy from diverse backgrounds.