Effectiveness of an Epilepsy Application for Self-management in Viet Nam

Epilepsy which affects over 70 million people worldwide, is one of the most common neurological diseases. Epilepsy is "a disease characterized by an enduring predisposition to generate epileptic seizures and by the neurobiological, cognitive, psychological, and social consequences of this condition." Therefore, self-management plays a crucial role for people with epilepsy (PWE) to adapt their lifestyles and behaviors for those long-lasting changes. Self-management is a dynamic, interactive, and daily process in which individuals engage to manage a chronic illness. Self-management is "the ability of the individual, in conjunction with family, community, and healthcare professionals, to manage symptoms, treatments, lifestyle changes, and psychosocial, cultural, and spiritual consequences of health conditions." Optimal self-management may improve self-efficacy, knowledge about epilepsy of PWE and family, medical compliance, and avoidance of seizure triggers. Mobile health (mHealth) epilepsy application (apps) refers to any digital software (e.g., via the Internet, mobile device, wearable, or desktop platforms) capable of collecting, tracking, or sharing data while interacting with patients about their epilepsy health information. Recent studies have reported that mHealth applications improved the management of people with chronic illnesses, including epilepsy. In the digital era, smartphones are becoming more and more popular worldwide. In 2016, there were 24.8 million (30% of the population) smartphone users in Viet Nam, and this share is predicted to rise by 40 percent by 2021. Nanacara is an educational app for PWE to improve self-management. A systematic review showed 20 English apps designed to improve self-management for PWE. Only one randomized clinical trial (RCT) study showed the effectiveness of mobile apps in increasing self-management for PWE. This result implied the lack of validation study related to the clinical use of the epilepsy apps. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of the epilepsy app for PWE to improve self-management.