Digital diary app use for migraine in primary care: prospective cohort study

Jonker, Leon ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5867-4663 , Fitzgerald, Laura, Vanderpol, Jitka and Fisher, Stacey (2022) Digital diary app use for migraine in primary care: prospective cohort study. Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery, 216 . p. 107225.

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Abstract

Background: Headache diaries are recommended for migraine management in primary care.

Objective: Determine the acceptability and use of a digital headache diary app for migraine.

Methods: Evaluative prospective primary care cohort study in North of England. Part 1 was a postal survey; if responders were interested, in Part 2 participants trialled the digital N1-Headache App headache diary for 90 days, followed by survey feedback on the App’s usability.

Results: A total of 637 out of 2189 invited patients (29%) completed the initial survey, and 32% of respondents had previously used a headache diary; 437 out of 637 patients (69%) were interested in using the App. Regression analysis showed that interested patients were those with more severe migraines that limit physical/intellectual activities, and who indicate to not know enough about their migraine. Actual registration numbers and compliance with the App was very modest; 53 out of 173 participants (23%), who ultimately activated their personal N1-Headache App account, were able to generate a personalised trigger and protector map & report. Furthermore, at the end of the 90 day app trial period there was a non-significant trend towards improvements in participants’ health confidence levels.

Conclusion: Migraine patients – particularly those with more severe and frequent migraines - show an interest in using a digital headache diary app, ultimately, consistent daily use is very modest. The challenge is to improve app usage and compliance rates to allow interpretation of more patients’ migraine trigger and/or protector patterns, and wider use amongst patients.

Item Type:	Article
Journal / Publication Title:	Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery
Publisher:	Elsevier
ISSN:	0303-8467
Departments:	Institute of Health > Medical Sciences
Depositing User:	Insight Administrator
Date Deposited:	04 Apr 2022 15:05
Last Modified:	13 Jan 2024 13:17
URI:	https://insight.cumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/6414

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