Table 4 Study outcomes and main findings

Thompson et al. (2010) [34]

Depressive Symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory and Modified form)

Self-Efficacy (Depression Self-Efficacy Scale DCSES)

Satisfaction with life (Satisfaction With Life Scale SWLS)

Quality of Life (Behavioural Risk Factor Surveillance System BRFSS)

Self-Compassion (Self-Compassion Scale SCS)

Knowledge and Skills assessment

Decrease in depressive symptoms among intervention group significantly better than control, and greater for those attending more sessions.

No statistical difference in efficacy in relation to presence of MDD. Telephone group results slightly better than internet group but not significant.

Intervention group increased knowledge and skills more than control group; and increases were greater among those who attended more sessions. Change in knowledge and skills were negatively correlated with change in BDI score.

Change in Satisfaction with Life approached significance. No significant improvement in physical and mental health QOL measures, but improvement greater in intervention group.

Thompson et al. (2015) [35]

Depressive Symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory and Modified form; Neurological Disorders Depression Inventory for Epilepsy NDDI-E; PHQ-9)

Depression Coping Self-Efficacy (Depression Coping Self-Efficacy Scale DCSES)

Self-Compassion (Self-Compassion Scale SCS)

Satisfaction with Life (Satisfaction With Life Scale SWLS)

Quality of Life (Behavioural Risk Factor Surveillance System)

Knowledge and Skills assessment

Depressive symptoms – no difference between telephone and internet groups. Significant improvement in intervention group and had less depressive episodes. Association between scores and number of sessions attended.

Knowledge and skills improvements greater in intervention group, and associated with number of sessions attended. Changes significantly associated with change in mBDI scores. Knowledge and skills mediated change in mBDI scores between intervention and controls.

Satisfaction with life increased in intervention group, and associated with number of sessions attended.

Changes in Depression Coping Self Efficacy and Physical and Mental Health Quality of Life and Self-Compassion not significant.

Tang et al. (2015) [36]

Quality of Life (Patient-Weighted Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory QOLIE-31-P)

Depressive Symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory-II, BDI-II)

Anxiety Symptoms (Beck Anxiety Inventory, BAI)

Control and intervention group statistically significant improvement in quality of life and anxiety scores. Improvements statistically significantly better in intervention group.

Statistically significant reduction in BDI-II scores in both groups, not clinically significant.

Significant reduction in seizure frequency and severity in both groups.

Significant improvement in verbal and non-verbal memory. No other differences in Cognitive Functioning.