A Smartphone-based Application for Self-Management in Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

Background. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammation of the central nervous system and self-management is necessary for MS patients. The purpose of the present study was to develop a smartphone-based application for self-management in multiple sclerosis. Methods. This research was conducted in two phases. In the first phase, users’ requirements were investigated by using a questionnaire. The participants were 120 MS patients and six neurologists. In the second phase, a prototype of the application was designed and its usability was evaluated by using QUIS questionnaire. Results. Most of the proposed educational content, data elements, and the application functions, such as medication time reminder, assessing the severity of fatigue, and calculating the score of the Fatigue Severity Scale were found necessary to be included in the application. Finally, the usability of the application was evaluated by the users and the average of mean values was 7.6 out of 9 which indicated a “good” level of user satisfaction. Conclusions. The application designed in this study was able to collect patient data and facilitated consulting physicians at the point of need. It is expected that the patients’ quality of life and health status can be improved by using this application. However, more research is required to investigate the efficiency and effectiveness of this application in terms of reducing the number of visits to the medical centers, improving self-management skills of MS patients and their quality of life.

A mobile app (IDoThis) for multiple sclerosis self-management: development and initial evaluation

“…Most of these elements are available in some MS self-management apps, such as the MS assistant app and MS self app [ 33 , 45 ]. However, some other apps for MS self-management focused on describing the patient's condition (symptoms and attacks), managing medications, calculating scales of depression and anxiety, calculating the severity of fatigue, and the relationship between physician and patient [ 46 ].…”

“…Most of these elements are available in some MS self-management apps, such as the MS assistant app and MS self app [33,45]. However, some other apps for MS self-management focused on describing the patient's condition (symptoms and attacks), managing medications, calculating scales of depression and anxiety, calculating the severity of fatigue, and the relationship between physician and patient [46]. The IDoThis app on fatigue dimension provided the general explanations of fatigue and standard fatigue management approaches such as saving energy, prioritizing and simplifying tasks, identifying the level of fatigue, and identifying various factors that affect fatigue.…”

Telemedicine as a strategic intervention for cognitive rehabilitation in MS patients during COVID-19

“…For example, in some circumstances, it could be efficiently applied to telephone [ 65 ]. As a more pragmatic approach in the modern world, smartphone applications are introduced to facilitate self-management [ 68 ]. Multiple Sclerosis Neuropsychology Questionnaire (MSNQ) and Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis Scale (SMSS) have been used successfully by phone to assess neuropsychiatric status in Egypt [ 69 ].…”

The effect of a mobile-based self-care program on tremor of people with multiple sclerosis

“…Thus, self-care can be considered a potential approach to controlling the symptoms associated with MS. However, different methods and further research are needed to improve this intervention (16).…”

“…It includes using communication tools and computers to monitor and maintain patients' health and provide better care by physicians (17). Nowadays, the use of mobile smartphones as part of remote health services has received more and more attention due to its advantages, such as availability, ease of use, proper distribution of resources, and reduction of costs (16).…”