Abstract

Rationale: Being physically active is beneficial to the health of young people with epilepsy (YPE). Recent work has found that YPE are interested in physical activities aligned with their preferences but may need guidance on participation. With input from YPE, their parents, and healthcare providers, this knowledge translation project developed a web app to promote safe engagement in physical activities.

Methods: The study followed the Toronto Translational Framework to frame the context, ideate the design, and test the prototype. A total of 73 specialists and providers in child neurology and epilepsy in Canada, the USA, Israel, and Turkey completed a survey on their approaches to discussing physical activity with YPE. Content analysis of the survey responses using the themes identified in previous work as codes informed the app prototype design.

Results: Respondents indicated the need for accessible, easy-to-use online tools to discuss physical activity in YPE. They identified 23 activities YPE prefers and suggested the tools should provide safety and accommodation guidelines, enable social connection and support, assist with setting goals, and reinforce advice discussed in clinical visits. The tool features align with the insights from YPE and their parents identified in the previous study. Conversely, other respondents noted that the lack of resources and time during clinical visits prevents discussions of physical activities, which the online tool can address.

Conclusions: A web app accessible on phones and computers is under development. By creating a user-friendly tool addressing physical activity concerns, providers can support promoting an active lifestyle for YPE and their families.