Global Journal of
Computer Sciences
Volume 04, Issue 1, (2014) 23-30
www.awer-center/gjcs
Design and evaluation of a mobile epilepsy application for
self-management
Onur Mendi*, Bahcesehir University, Distance Education Unit, Besiktas, Istanbul 34353, Turkey
Başak Mendi, Bahcesehir University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Besiktas, Istanbul 34353, Turkey
Adem Karahoca, Bahcesehir University, Faculty of Engineering, Besiktas, Istanbul 34353, Turkey
Suggested Citation:
Mendi, O., Mendi, B., & Karahoca, A. Design and Evaluation of A Mobile Epilepsy Application for Self-
Management, Global Journal of Computer Science. 4(1), 07-16
Received 12 December, 2013; revised 18 February, 2014; accepted 26 March, 2014.
Selection and peer review under responsibility of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özcan Asilkan, Akdeniz University, Turkey.
©
2014 SPROC LTD. Academic World Education & Research Center. All rights reserved.
Abstract
Self-management programs are useful especially for enhancing compliance to treatment, improving quality of
life and psychological well-being in all chronic diseases. People with epilepsy need to recognize and manage the
stressors that lead to seizures and to cope with any subsequent effects of the condition. Tracking epielpsy-
related information properly by traditional ways is not easy for patients. Information Communication
Technology based solutions can be offered to enable patients to store, track and share their information. Mobile
technologies can play an important role in health care at individual level for self-management. Since user-
centered design approach is an important factor in developing mobile applications, usability tests are required
during the early development process. The aim of this study is: (1) to develop a mobile application for people
with epilepsy that will support them while managing their epilepsy, (2) to assess the usability of the application.
The application, which enables users to manage symptoms, monitor drug dosage, slow disease progression and
improve the quality of life; also sends emergency signals at the time of seizures. Our study was planned for
earlier testing of Mobile Epilepsy Application (MEA) to fix any potential errors. We selected cognitive
walkthrough methodology and used interactive onscreen mock-ups to evaluate the usability of the application.
The study results show that the MEA system’s interfaces are easy to learn and may be a helpful to ol for epilepsy
self-management.
Keywords: epilepsy, epilepsy self-management, mobile health, usability.
1. Introduction
Epilepsy is defined as “a brain disorder characterized by an enduring predisposition to generate
epileptic seizures and by neurobiological , cognitive, psychological, and social consequences” [4].
* ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE: Onur Mendi, Bahcesehir University, Besiktas, Istanbul 34353, Turkey,
E-mail address: onur.mendi@bahcesehir.edu.tr / Tel.: +90-212-381-5790