A randomized controlled study: Evaluating the efficacy of a mobile application developed for mothers who have children with epilepsy in Turkiye.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted for the purposes of developing the Mobile Epilepsy Education Package (MEEP) for mothers who have children with epilepsy, and evaluating the efficacy of such a package.

DESIGN AND METHODS: The research consisted of a randomized, controlled experimental study. DISCERN measuring tool was used to evaluate the content of MEEP. The evaluation of the package was conducted with a total of 60 mothers-30 participants in the intervention group and 30 controls. This study was conducted in the Pediatric Neurology Outpatient Clinic of a hospital with mothers who had children with epilepsy, ages 3-6. A Description Form, the Epilepsy Knowledge Scale for Parents, and Parental Anxiety over Seizures Scale were used in the data collection.

RESULTS: The general quality evaluation of MEEP according to the experts was rated 70.35 ± 6.20, with interrater agreement at a good level. Knowledge and anxiety scores were similar in the groups prior to the mobile application. Following the application, a significant increase was seen in the level of knowledge about epilepsy among the intervention group mothers (p < .001), while a significant decrease was observed in anxiety over seizures (p = .009).

CONCLUSIONS: MEEP, which was developed to evaluate mothers' levels of knowledge about epilepsy and their state of anxiety over seizures, resulted in an increase in knowledge and reduced anxiety.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: A simple-to-use, easy-to-access and low-cost mobile application has been developed that facilitates epilepsy diagnosis, follow-up and treatment, increases mothers' knowledge levels, and reduces anxiety levels.