MEW Network At a Glance

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Managing Epilepsy Well (MEW) Network

MEW Network At a Glance PDF

 

In response to recommendations from Living Well with Epilepsy II, the 2nd National Conference on Public Health and Epilepsy, CDC supported the development of the Managing Epilepsy Well (MEW) Network. The MEW network is a thematic research network designed to address gaps in knowledge and programs related to improving epilepsy self-management and quality of life for people with epilepsy.

The mission of the Managing Epilepsy Well Network (MEW) is to advance the science related to epilepsy self-management by facilitating and implementing research, conducting research in collaboration with network members and community stakeholders, and broadly disseminating research findings.  

 

Collaborating Prevention Research Centers:

• Emory University Prevention Research Center  (Coordinating Center)
• University of Michigan Prevention Research Center
• University of Texas Prevention Research Center (at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston)
• University of Washington Health Promotion Research Center
• Case Western Reserve University
• Prevention Research Center at Dartmouth
  

Evidence-based programs

WebEase (Web Epilepsy Awareness Support and Education): An Internet self-management program to improve medication adherence, stress and sleep management (DiIorio, et al. (2009). Health Education Research, 24(2), 185-197; DiIorio, et al. (2009) Preventing Chronic Disease, 6(1), A2; DiIorio, et al (2011). Epilepsy Behav,22(3): 469-474

UPLIFT (Using Practice and Learning to Increase Favorable Thoughts) for Epilepsy: An Internet and telephone intervention using cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness to treat depression in people with epilepsy (Thompson, et al.(2010). Epilepsy & Behavior, Volume 19(3): 247-254.; Walker et al.(2010). Epilepsy & Behavior,Volume 19(3): 239-246.)

PEARLS (Program to Encourage Active Rewarding Lives): A home-based depression treatment intervention  for  adults with epilepsy and co-morbid depression (Ciechanowski  et al. (2010), Epilepsy & Behavior, Volume 19(3): 225-231)

Programs under Evaluation

Focus on Epilepsy: Development and pilot testing of a self management intervention for adults with refractory epilepsy

HOBSCOTCH (Home Based Self-management and Cognitive Training Changes Lives): Development and testing of a community-based self-management program for people with epilepsy and cognitive dysfunction

MINDSET (Management Information & Support Epilepsy Tool): Development and pilot testing of a clinic-based decision-support system to enhance self-management behavior

PACES (Program for Active Consumer Engagement in Epilepsy Self-Management): A Consumer Generated Self-Management Model

PACES for Rural Communities (Program for Active Consumer Engagement in Self-Management): Adaptation of PACES for both content and delivery for use with rural dwelling adults with epilepsy

TIME (Targeted Self-Management for Epilepsy and Mental Illness): Development of a person-centered, holistic program for people with epilepsy and with severe persistent mental illness

Formative Studies

Technology Attitudes and Usage (TAU): A survey of communication practices and preferences for people with epilepsy and their formal and informal caregivers.

Self-Management Podcasts Evaluation: Development and evaluation of self-management audio podcasts by people with epilepsy and for people with epilepsy.

Completed Multi-site research

Preventing Depression in People with Epilepsy: An Extension of Project UPLIFT (Funded through the National Center for Minority Health and Health Disparities, NIH Challenge Grant Award)

Completed Research Projects

• Contributing to Managing Epilepsy Well: A comprehensive review of the experiences and effects of self-management interventions for epilepsy (Clark, et al. (2010) Epilepsy & Behavior,Volume 19(3): 255-263)
• Socioeconomic differences in epilepsy self-management and its impact on treatment adherence, healthcare use, and health outcomes (Begley et al. (2010). Epilepsy & Behavior,Volume 19(3): 232-238)
• Developing Community-Based Self-Management Programs for Adults with Epilepsy (Fraser R et al. (2011). Epilepsy & Behavior, Volume 20, Issue 2, 291-8)
• 30 peer-reviewed publications available here.

Tools, eTools & Training

• Key Informants’ Perspectives on Managing Epilepsy Report 
  (View Report)
• PEARLS Training: A CDC-supported community-based depression treatment intervention for adults with epilepsy,  (http://www.pearlsprogram.org)
• UPLIFT for Epilepsy Training for Mental Health Professionals (available to starting August 2012): contact Archna Patel, MPH, CHES (apate461@emory.edu) for more information
• Managing Epilepsy Well Webinar Series (November 2010, May 2012)
• WebEase (Web Epilepsy Awareness Support and Education) on-line program now available at www.webease.org (in collaboration with Emory University and the Epilepsy Foundation )

Community of Practice Workgroups

• Self-Management Measurement Tool Development (2010-present)
• Dissemination, Implementation and Sustainability (2011-present)
• eHealth Tools and Epilepsy Self-Management (2011-present)
• Epilepsy and Stigma (2010)

For an overview on the MEW Network, please see:

DiIorio C, Bamps Y, Edwards AL, Escoffery C, Thompson NJ, Begley CE, Shegog R, Clark NM, Selwa L, Stoll S, Fraser RT, Ciechanowski P, Johnson EK, Kobau R, Price PH. (2010). The Prevention Research Centers' Managing Epilepsy Well Network. Epilepsy & Behavior, Volume 19(3): 218-224.
doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2010.07.027.View PubMed Abstract

MEW Network At a Glance PDF