Project UPLIFT for Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures

Developed by researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Project UPLIFT (Using Practice and Learning to Increase Favorable Thoughts) is a group telephone program designed to improve depression for people with epilepsy. Project UPLIFT uses evidence-based approaches of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy to help people manage and prevent symptoms of depression. For people with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures, there are few treatment options for depression that address the relationship between mood and seizures. There is evidence that mindfulness-based therapy and cognitive therapy are both effective for people with non-epileptic seizures, both in treating depression and reducing seizure frequency. In this study, Project UPLIFT will be offered to patients with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures. Project UPLIFT is facilitated by a trained clinician to groups of 4-8 patients over the telephone. The group will meet at a regular time, once a week, for 8 consecutive weeks. Participants will be assigned to one of two groups: an immediate-treatment or a waitlist control group which will begin Project UPLIFT 3 months after enrolling in the study.