Authors :
Presenting Author: Nathania Hartojo, BA – Dartmouth College
Sarah Kaden, BA – Dartmouth Health
Genisis Medina, BA – Epilepsy Alliance Florida
Stefano Cornejo, BA – Epilepsy Alliance Florida
Barbara Duenas, LMFT – Epilepsy Alliance Florida
Roxana Galera, BA – Epilepsy Alliance Florida
Rachel Stevens, BS – Epilepsy Alliance Florida
Elaine Kiriakopoulos, MD, MPH, MSc – Dartmouth Health
Rationale:
Population health studies report, Latino patients are 40% less likely to see an outpatient neurologist than white patients. Epilepsy, characterized by reoccurring seizures, cognitive problems and depression can lead to additional disadvantages for this population. HOme-Based Self-Management and COgnitive Training CHanges Lives (HOBSCOTCH) is an epilepsy self-management intervention which targets improvements in quality of life (QoL) and cognition for people with epilepsy (PWE). HOBSCOTCH has been validated in English-speaking populations, but effectiveness in other cultural contexts is unknown. We examine the acceptability and feasibility of co-produced/adapted HOBSCOTCH-Español and assess impact on QoL among Spanish-speaking PWE.Methods:
The 8-week coproduced HOBSCOTCH-Español intervention was adapted and delivered by trained bilingual Cognitive Coaches (n=3) to Spanish speaking PWE. Participants were recruited through the Epilepsy Alliance of Florida and the HOBSCOTCH Institute. All program materials were translated into Spanish. Participants completed voluntary digital sociodemographic surveys, pre- and post-intervention QOLIE-10 and satisfaction surveys evaluating acceptability, engagement and perceived benefits via REDCap.
Results:
Participants (n=11) enrolled (Table 1), and 9 completed voluntary pre- and post-intervention surveys (Mean 48.8 yrs, SD = 9.66). All identified as Hispanic or Latino; 73% female; 45% annual income below $24,999; 27% lacked health insurance; 64% completed high school/equivalent; 45% homemakers; and 45% were unemployed or unable to work. A meaningful improvement in QoL, as defined by a drop of >10% in baseline QOLIE-10 score was observed (pre-HOBSCOTCH M=2.32, SD=0.58; post-HOBSCOTCH M=1.88 SD=0.54). Satisfaction surveys (Fig1) revealed 100% of participants rated the program as at least moderately helpful, 89% describing it as very or extremely helpful, 78% found the tools and strategies highly useful, and 100% reported enjoying working with their HOBSCOTCH coach (Fig1). Qualitative data highlights benefits including improved memory strategies, enhanced self-confidence, and increased ability to manage daily cognitive challenges. All participants who enrolled/matched with a bilingual Coach completed the program.
Conclusions:
HOBSCOTCH-Español is a feasible intervention for delivery by trained bilingual Cognitive Coaches. Acceptability of the HOBSCOTCH-Espanol program was endorsed by participants who reported high satisfaction and meaningful benefits post-program. ESM support may be particularly relevant for communities facing economic hardship and barriers to care access. Ongoing research will investigate long-term impacts, demographic predictors of success, and scalability in Spanish-speaking communities. Expanding access to cognitive interventions like HOBSCOTCH-Espanol brings potential to improve self-management and patient well-being in underserved populations.
Funding:
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Department of Neurology Diamond Reeves Grant