Mobile Applications for Multiple Sclerosis: a Focus on Self-Management.

Abstract

Introduction:The explosion of mobile phone users along with the importance of user’s role in managing their health provides a unique opportunity for m-Health applications in the management of chronic illnesses such as Multiple sclerosis (MS).Aim:To identify available MS applications and to characterize the content of MS self-management applications.Methods:Two popular online application stores (iTunes, Google play) were searched for multiple sclerosis -related apps using the following keywords: multiple sclerosis, disseminated multiple sclerosis, disseminated sclerosis, and MS. Apps were considered eligible if they had been customized only on multiple sclerosis. First, data was extracted from the description page for any eligible application. To achieve the study goal, the secondary analysis was performed only for self-management applications.Results:Search of two popular markets identified 1042 applications (747 applications from Google play, and 295 applications from iTunes). Of these, 104 unique applications met the inclusion criteria. Almost a quarter of eligible applications (26%) had been designed for multiple sclerosis self-management. Other purposes of the identified applications were diagnosing & treating (7.7%), doing tests (7.7%), connecting & communication for MS patients (4.8%), raising awareness of multiple sclerosis (15.4%), accessing to journals & news (6.7%), conferences & meetings (17.3%), supporting & donating to MS community (14.4%). Conclusion:It appears the mobile applications provide a multidimensional tool for patient with Multiple Sclerosis to improve their condition self-management. These applications can contribute to empowerment of the patients, and help their adherence to the therapeutic and management regimen of their conditions. Moreover, they can be utilized to collect information on the MS progress pattern in personal level for each individual patient. This information may provide health care professionals with evidence to help their patients toward enhancing self-management of their disease.