B – 62 Perceived Benefit of Telehealth-Accessible Self-Management and Cognitive Training in People with Epilepsy

Abstract Objective HOme-Based Self-Management and COgnitive Training CHanges Lives (HOBSCOTCH) is an 8-week telehealth-delivered epilepsy self-management (ESM) program. HOBSCOTCH is an evidence-based program delivered to people with epilepsy (PWE) by certified Cognitive Coaches one-to-one. Two randomized controlled trials of HOBSCOTCH demonstrated improvements in quality of life, subjective and objective cognition. This project examines real-world engagement with HOBSCOTCH and elucidates participant characteristics relevant to perceived benefits. Method Participants (n=450; 46 states) completed HOBSCOTCH and pre- and post-program assessments. Telehealth program delivery was centralized to the Coaching team at Dartmouth’s HOBSCOTCH Institute. Data was collected from program enrollees (6/2023-3/2025) and analyzed in Microsoft Excel, R, and SPSS. Results A little over half (50.7%) of participants (aged 16-83, M=45.4, SD=15.4; 66.1% female) reported controlled epilepsy. Few participants (9.1%) reported any prior ESM or cognitive rehabilitation experience. Epilepsy severity (GASE scale) was varied, extremely/very severe/quite severe=40.7%, moderate/somewhat severe=41.5%, a little severe/not at all severe=17.8%. Of participants completing post-program surveys (n=88), satisfaction (10-point scale) was high (M=8.9, SD=1.6). There was no significant difference in perceived benefit based on GASE score (p=.65) or participant age. Significant differences in benefit were observed based on employment; participants currently working experienced more benefit (p=.02) compared to other employment categories (i.e., unemployed, unable to work secondary to epilepsy) (p>.05). Conclusion Irrespective of epilepsy severity, age and past participation in self-management or cognitive rehabilitation, PWE reported high benefit post HOBSCOTCH. Being in the workforce facilitated benefit likely reflecting impact of lower epilepsy-related disability. These data support the real-world positive impact of HOBSCOTCH across a spectrum of PWE.