Texting 4 Control: The Effects of a Texting Intervention On Self-Management Behaviors Among Young People with Epilepsy

Background:  This study presents a quantitative assessment of the impact of mobile seizure management tools on perceived sense of control, treatment adherence, and perception of stigma among young people aged 13-18 with epilepsy in order to help improve seizure control and in the long run, reduce self-stigma.

Program background:  Patients meeting the study criteria were recruited from Epilepsy Foundation events and Foundation venues and receive standardized medication reminders and motivational messaging based on an initial intake form over an 8 week period.  In addition to the messages, all patients have access to an online patient diary.  The experimental group receives the medication reminders and motivational messaging, while the control group receives general health information appropriate for an adolescent population without a chronic condition.

Evaluation Methods and Results:  Through secondary data analysis using Morisky's Medication Taking Behavior Survey (Morisky, Ang, Krousel-Wood, Ward, 2008), the Seizure Self-Efficacy Scale for Children (Caplin et. al, 2002), and the Child Stigma Scale (Austin, MacLeod, Dunn, Shen, Perkins, 2004) pre and post intervention, it is expected that the experimental group will have a significant change in perceived sense of control, treatment adherence, and perception of stigma.

Conclusions:  Conclusions will be presented by the time of the conference.

Implications for research and/or practice:  Results of the study will indicate whether SMS (text messaging) is truly an effective means for improving self-management behaviors among young people with chronic conditions. Please note-This abstract was submitted and abstracted for the 2011 conference; however, our work was not far enough along to have adequate information to present.  We will have results to present at this year's conference if the abstract is selected. References Austin, J.K., MacLeod, J., Dunn, D.W., Shen, J. and Perkins, S.M. (2004).  Measuring stigma in children with epilepsy and their parents: instrument development and testing.  Epilepsy & Behavior, 5, 4: 472-482.  doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2004.04.008. Caplin, D., Austin, J. K., Dunn, D. W., Shen, J. & Perkins, S. (2002). Development of a self-efficacy scale for children and adolescents with epilepsy. Children's Health Care, 31(4), 295-309. doi:10.1207/S15326888CHC3104_3.   Morisky, D.E., Ang, A., Krousel-Wood, M., & Ward, H.J. (2008). Predictive validity of a medication adherence measure in an outpatient setting.  J Clin Hypertens, 10(5), 348–354. doi:10.1111/j.1751-7176.2008.07572.x.