HOBSCOTCH (Home Based Self-Management and Cognitive Training Changes Lives)

Key Components

• Education to teach the basics of memory function, normal memory problems, and factors related to seizure-related cognitive problems
• Self-awareness training emphasizing awareness of the multiple influences that affect memory and attention
• Memory strategies that improve how memory works
• Problem solving therapy to provide participants with skills to systematically work through memory-related difficulties
  

About the HOBSCOTCH Program

HOBSCOTCH is an evidence-based self-management program designed to address memory and attention problems in adults with epilepsy. The program is designed to help adults with seizures find ways to manage and cope with memory problems in order to lead happier, more productive lives.

The program consists of eight sessions delivered by a certified HOBSCOTCH Memory Coach. The sessions occur weekly and last 45-60 minutes. With education and guidance from coaches, participants learn how to identify memory-related problems in daily life, build solutions to address problems, and put into action strategies to help them feel more in control. The program can be delivered in person or virtually.

Information for Providers

HOBSCOTCH (HOme-Based Self-management and COgnitive Training CHanges lives)targets chronic disease self-management and cognitive dysfunction in adults with epilepsy.

The HOBSCOTCH intervention, at baseline, represents an innovative way of addressing self-care and neurocognitive difficulties to improve quality of life.  The program fosters an understanding of foundational epilepsy and cognition concepts, and aids patients in building skills in self-awareness and mindfulness to help them identify situations and conditions under which their disease management and cognitive problems tend to occur. The intervention helps patients build new cognitive skills and strategies for empowering them to feel more in control of their challenges.

Training Opportunities

The HOBSCOTCH Institute for Cognitive Health and Well-Being at Dartmouth delivers a quarterly virtual Cognitive Coach training and certification course. Continuing education credits are provided for training. The training is delivered by faculty via Zoom over eight hours (two four-hour sessions).

Eligibility for Coach Training and Certification:

• Epilepsy center team members including neurologists, epilepsy fellows, nurses, social workers, counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists, and physician assistants
• Health educators with extensive one-on-one counseling experience and community health workers who have successfully completed Dartmouth’s accredited virtual live training, Overview of Epilepsy and Self-Management Training (based on CDC 2017 CHW training guide)

Included Training Materials:

• Coaches Treatment Manual
• PowerPoint Teaching Presentation
• Digital or Print Session Record Forms
• Mindfulness Exercises Audio Files
• Participant Pre-Screen Forms
• Pre and Post Program Evaluation for distribution to program participants
• A copy of the Participant Manual and Day Planner with Seizure Diary
• Customizable Program Brochures, Promotional postcard
  

Accreditation: Dartmouth-Hitchcock is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. Dartmouth-Hitchcock designates this live activity for a maximum of 6.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. Dartmouth-Hitchcock Nursing Continuing Education Council is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. This educational activity carries 6.0 contact hours. No fee for CE credits.

* Training fee of $299 covers cost of materials and shipping

Questions? Please email HI.AES@hitchcock.org

Key Reference Publications

Nicholas A. Streltzov, Samantha S. Schmidt, Lindsay Schommer, Wenyan Zhao, Tor Tosteson, Morgan Mazanec, Elaine T. Kiriakopoulos, Felicia Chu, Heidi Henninger, Keith Nagle, Robert Roth, and Barbara Jobst. Effectiveness of a self-management program to improve cognition and quality of life in epilepsy: a pragmatic, randomized, multicenter trial. Accepted, Neurology, 2022.

Moncrief GG, Aita SL, Tyson BT, et al. Self-rated executive dysfunction in adults with epilepsy and effects of a cognitive-behavioral intervention (HOBSCOTCH). Epilepsy Behav. 2021;121(Pt A):108042. doi: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2021.108042

Quon RJ, Mazanec MT, Schmidt SS, et al. Antiepileptic drug effects on subjective and objective cognition. Epilepsy Behav. 2020;104(Pt A):106906. doi: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2020.106906

Friedman D, Spruill TM, Liu H, et al. Depressive symptoms and suicidality among individuals with epilepsy enrolled in self-management studies: Results from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Managing Epilepsy Well (MEW) Network. Epilepsy Behav. 2018; 87:235-240. doi: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2018.06.024

Caller TA, Secore KL, Ferguson RJ, et al. Design and feasibility of a memory intervention with focus on self-management for cognitive impairment in epilepsy. Epilepsy Behav. 2015; 44:192-194. doi: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2014.12.036

Caller TA, Ferguson RJ, Roth RM, Secore KL, Alexandre FP, Zhao W, Tosteson TD, Henegan PL, Birney K, Jobst BC. A cognitive behavioral intervention (HOBSCOTCH) improves quality of life and attention in epilepsy. Epilepsy Behav. 2016;57(Pt A):111-7. doi: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2016.01.024. PubMed PMID: 26943948