Abstracts

Rationale: WebEase (Epilepsy Awareness, Support and Education) is an on-line epilepsy self-management program designed to assist people with medication taking, managing stress, and improving quality of sleep. WebEase is based on social cognitive theory, the transtheoretical model and motivational interviewing, and consists of several components including a database to record personal information, three learning modules, a discussion board, fact sheets, and daily polls/quizzes. The aims of the study were to determine if older adolescents and adults who participate in the WebEase program show improvements in epilepsy-related knowledge, self-efficacy, medication adherence, stress management, sleep time and quality. The study also elicited user evaluation and input regarding the content and the format of the online program. Methods: Adults ages 18 and older diagnosed with epilepsy, taking at least one anti-epileptic drug for more than 3 months, able to understand and speak English, with access to the internet and with no previous experience with WebEase were eligible to participate. Individuals were recruited through epilepsy-based websites and forums, on-line clinical research matching services and referrals from healthcare professionals. After informed consent, participants completed a baseline assessment and were randomly assigned to the intervention or wait list control condition. Participants assigned to the intervention condition began WebEase immediately after completing the baseline assessment, while those in the wait-list control condition waited 6 weeks and completed a second survey before beginning the WebEase program. Both groups completed a third survey 12 weeks after the baseline assessment. The three surveys measured epilepsy-related knowledge, self-efficacy, medication adherence, stress management, sleep time and quality, and quality of life. Results: The study will conclude in August 2010. 191 participants were enrolled in the study and 45 participants were excluded because they did not meet the eligibility criteria. The average age is 40.68 (SD=13.18) with 89% of the participants self-reported as Caucasian/white. 74.3% are female. More than 77% of the participants have had some education beyond the high school level: 37% reported some college education or being currently in college, 28.1% completed a college degree and 11.9% reported a graduate degree. In May 2010, a preliminary data analysis showed improvement in epilepsy-related knowledge, medication adherence, stress management, sleep time and quality. Final data analysis will be available in September 2010. Conclusions: Although the final results are not yet available, if the current results are maintained, evidence will be available to support the use of a self-paced, theory-based, online program in the support of self-management for people with epilepsy. This is important because the internet can be a viable option for promoting the health of people with epilepsy.