App-based self-guided mindfulness training for adults with epilepsy: a six-week single-arm feasibility study

Area of Science:

• Digital health interventions
• Mindfulness-based therapies
• Epilepsy management

Background:

• Epilepsy affects quality of life and mental health.
• App-based interventions offer accessible support.
• Mindfulness may alleviate symptoms in people with epilepsy (PWE).

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility and acceptability of a simplified, app-based mindfulness intervention for PWE in China.
• To explore preliminary effects on quality of life, anxiety, depression, and seizure frequency.

Main Methods:

• Ten adults with epilepsy participated in a 6-week, self-guided mindfulness program via a WeChat mini-program.
• Feasibility measured by completion rates; acceptability by questionnaire.
• Exploratory outcomes included QOLIE-31, GAD-7, NDDI-E, MAAS, and seizure frequency.

Main Results:

• High feasibility (110.1% completion) and positive user feedback.
• Improvements observed in quality of life (QOLIE-31: +9.12) and anxiety (GAD-7: -5.50).
• Descriptive reduction in seizure frequency (1.17/4 weeks), with 50% achieving ≥50% reduction.

Conclusions:

• A brief, app-based mindfulness intervention is feasible and acceptable for PWE in mainland China.
• Findings support a future randomized controlled trial to evaluate efficacy.
• This intervention could be part of a stepped-care model for epilepsy management.