WebEase (Web Epilepsy, Awareness, Support and Education)

Description:

WebEase is a self-management program designed for adults with epilepsy, including three interactive modules together with a ‘MyLog' personal journal. Initially you enter information about your seizures, medication, stress and sleep into ‘MyLog' - and you can then record daily information here each time you enter the program. You can work through each of the modules (medication taking, stress and sleep management) - and revisit each module multiple times, if you choose. The content of the modules is tailored to your needs and includes information, audio/video testimonials, assessments and feedback. You are encouraged to set goals and track your seizures, medication, stress and sleep. Links to additional resources and Epilepsy Foundation eCommunities are also provided.

Service URL:

https://www.webease.org/

Agency Responsible:

Emory University, Atlanta, USA.

Details

Format:

Website.

Intervention Type:

Psychological – CBT. Motivational Interviewing and Educational

Course Length:

Moderate (2-5 modules). 3 modules (medication management, stress management and sleep management)

Support Option:

Automated only. Personalised feedback. Peer support is also available via access to a discussion board.

Target Audience

Primary Category:

Epilepsy.

Target Audience:

Adult.

Language:

English.

Access

Fee:

Free.

Access:

Open: With registration.

Contact Details:

cdiiori@sph.emory.edu

Research evidence

Research Trials:

2

Research RCTs:

1

Outcome Summary:

WebEase's effectiveness has been examined in two studies to date: a randomised controlled study (RCT) and an initial pilot study. In the RCT participants were randomly assigned to either an intervention group in which they were asked to use WebEase for 6 weeks or a wait-list control group. Participants were assessed at baseline, after 6 weeks and after 12 weeks. Participants in the intervention group reported significantly higher scores on medication adherence after a period of 12 weeks than those in the control group. However no significant differences between the groups were found for perceived stress, epilepsy stress and sleep quality. After a delay participants in the control group could also access the intervention - and further analysis compared participant outcomes among those from both groups who completed a WebEase module with those participants who did not complete a module. This analysis indicated that participants who completed a WebEase module displayed a significant increase in self-efficacy compared to participants who did not complete a module.

Additionally, the initial pilot study found that following access to the intervention, participants displayed significant improvements on certain measures, including: epilepsy self-management, one measure of adherence, sleep quality, self-efficacy and social support. Therefore, there is some evidence in support of the WebEase intervention as an effective self-management tool.

 

Recommended rating, reviewer 1:

Recommended rating, reviewer 2:

Read more about Beacon's Smiley Rating System.

Research paper citations

Evaluation evidence studies:
DiIorio, C., Escoffery, C., McCarty, F., Yeager, K.A., Henry, T.R., Koganti, A., Reisinger, E.L. and Wexler, B. (2011) Evaluation of WebEase: an epilepsy self-management Web site. Health Education Research, 24(2): 185-197.

DiIorio, C., Bamps, Y., Reisinger Walker, E., Escoffery, C. (2011) Results of a research study evaluating WebEase, an online epilepsy self-management program. Epilepsy and Behaviour, 22: 469-474.

Additional references:
DiIorio, C., Escoffery, C., Yeager, K.A., McCarty, F., Henry, T.R., Koganti, A., Reisinger, E.L. Robinson, E., Kobau, R, Price, P. (2009) WebEase: Development of a Web-Based Epilepsy Self-Management Intervention. Preventing Chronic Disease, 6(1): A28

Reisinger Walker, E., Bamps, Y., Burdett, A., Rothkopf, J., DiIorio, C. (2012) Social Support for self-management behaviors among people with epilepsy: A content analysis of WebEase program. Epilepsy and Behavior, 23: 285-290.