Abstracts

The Effect of the Medilepsy Mobile App on Medication Adherence and Transition Readiness Skills in Adolescents and Young Adults with Epilepsy: A Quasi-experimental Study

Abstract number : 3.303
Submission category : 7. Anti-seizure Medications / 7E. Other
Year : 2022
Submission ID : 2204025
Source : www.aesnet.org
Presentation date : 12/5/2022 12:00:00 PM
Published date : Nov 22, 2022, 05:23 AM

Authors :
Michelle Tall, PhD,MSN, RN – Epilepsy Leadership Foundation, Inc; Alan Paris, PhD – Director and Head, Neurologic Lab; Azadeh Vosoughi, PhD – Associate Professor, College of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Central Florida; Devante McFarlane, Undergraduate Student – Undergraduate Research Assistant, College of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Central Florida

This abstract is a recipient of the Nurse and Advanced Practice Provider Travel Award
This abstract has been invited to present during the Basic Science Poster Highlights poster session

Rationale: Medication nonadherence to anti-seizure medications (ASM) is a global challenge for adolescents and young adults diagnosed with epilepsy (AYAWE) and their caregivers. Negative consequences of nonadherence can exacerbate seizures, escalate health care costs, and can lead to mortality. Researchers have reported that medication nonadherence can contribute to delayed transition readiness skills (TRS), which can impede transfer of care from a pediatric model to an adult healthcare model. We conducted a four-week study to test the effect of Medilepsy, a novel IDevice Operating System (IOS) mobile application (m-app), on medication adherence in AYAWE, ages 16 to 24, with and without caregiver support. Secondary aims examined Medilepsy's effect on TRS and its usability.

Methods: A one-group quasi-experimental pre-post study design was used. Before the study, participants self-reported their medication adherence (number of medication doses taken over 7 days divided by the number of prescribed doses x 100%) which was documented as the pre-medication adherence rate (AR) score. Participants completed the Transition Readiness Assessment Questionnaire (TRAQ), a validated five-point Likert Scale to measure transition readiness pre-and post-study. The mHealth App Usability Questionnaire (MAUQ), a validated 7-point Likert scale, measured usability, ease of use, and satisfaction using the Medilepsy m-app post-study. A repeated measures test, the Friedman test, was used to analyze any changes in the pre-AR scores and medication adherence at five-time points (Time 0=pre-AR, Time 1= week one, Time 2= week two, Time 3= week three, Time 4= week 4). A Wilcoxon test was used to analyze the mean pre-post TRAQ scores.

Results: Participants included 31 AYAWE from 16 states (mean age was 20.9 years; females, 73.3%, and Caucasian, 93.3%). The sample consisted of mostly younger adults (93.3%) with no caregiver support. There was no significant improvement in medication adherence mean scores at the five times (99.3% to 96.3%), χ2(4) = 8.40, p = 0.078. The analysis revealed a significant improvement in the pre-post TRAQ mean scores, p< 0.001, with the greatest improvement in Appointment Keeping (3.46 to 4.00; 13.75% increase) and Managing Medications (4.03 to 4.48; 11.25% increase). MAUQ's mean scores were 5.94. The highest mean scores were 6.09 in ease of use, interface, and satisfaction. Participants graded Medilepsy at 82.3% out of 100%.
Anti-seizure Medications