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Epilepsy Journal app

An app for caregivers and people with epilepsy wanting to record details of their seizures.

Epilepsy Journal app	By Oily Tree Applications
	Features Seizure log. Trigger recording. Graphs and reports. Reports for sharing. Medication reminders. Ketogenic diet tracking. Ability to track from your Wear OS watch.
Country of origin	Canada
Clinical review	Read a clinical review below.
Security and privacy	Does the app: Collect medical information? Yes – collects health info (optional) Require a login? Recommended Have password protection? Yes Have a privacy policy? Yes. Health information is collected about epilepsy history. Require internet access to use? Yes Read more about safety and security when using apps. Brochures: Tips to improve your privacy and security [PDF, 65 KB] Healthify He Puna Waiora, NZ Staying safe online(external link) Netsafe, NZ
Cost	Basic version is free. There are paid upgrades available via in-app purchases.
Advertisements	Yes – app contains ads. Can pay to have ads removed.
How to get the app	(external link)

This app enables users to keep track of their seizures (such as duration, seizure type, rescue medication, triggers, activity, location) and record their medications (name, strength, dose, frequency). Users can view trends in their seizure frequency and generate reports of their seizure history. There is a ketogenic diet tracker section which can be used if applicable. The app allows users to share their health information with friends, family or health professionals.

For the complete app description, go to Google Play(external link) and for a detailed review, see reviews below.

PROS	CONS
✔ Easily log seizures and related information. Able to note whether rescue medication was used, seizure type, possible triggers, activity and location (all customisable). ✔ Medication reminders, and compare seizure data with current and past medications used. ✔ Good data visualisation. ✔ Track ketone levels if undertaking a ketogenic diet and compare levels with seizures. ✔ Generate a pdf report of the data to share with your doctor. ✔ There seems to have been input from doctors. ✔ Sync between devices (great for caregivers). ✔ Available in 18 languages.	✘ Not available on iTunes store for Apple devices. ✘ Unable to record a video of the seizure through the app using the version reviewed. ✘ Limited information about epilepsy (there are some videos but seem to be more targeted towards medical personnel). ✘ Little information on medications used to treat epilepsy. ✘ Could not see a place to track drug levels in the blood.

PROS

CONS

✔ Easily log seizures and related information. Able to note whether rescue medication was used, seizure type, possible triggers, activity and location (all customisable).

✔ Medication reminders, and compare seizure data with current and past medications used.

✔ Good data visualisation.

✔ Track ketone levels if undertaking a ketogenic diet and compare levels with seizures.

✔ Generate a pdf report of the data to share with your doctor.

✔ There seems to have been input from doctors.

✔ Sync between devices (great for caregivers).

✔ Available in 18 languages.

✘ Not available on iTunes store for Apple devices.

✘ Unable to record a video of the seizure through the app using the version reviewed.

✘ Limited information about epilepsy (there are some videos but seem to be more targeted towards medical personnel).

✘ Little information on medications used to treat epilepsy.

✘ Could not see a place to track drug levels in the blood.

Clinical review

Reviewer: Lena Estrin, Community Pharmacist
Date of review: April 2023
Comments: This is a useful app for people who have recurrent seizures or epilepsy, and their carers. The app allows seizures to be tracked along with possible triggers to find patterns and trends. This information can then be shared with others involved in the persons care including health professionals.
The medication section helps people to record what medication they are taking. Reminders to take medication can be set and there is the ability to add a photo of the medication to the app which could be beneficial for people who have multiple people involved in administering their antiseizure meds. The medication feature does rely on medication information being entered correctly by the app user – there is no list of commonly used medication to choose from so it may not always be accurate. Those following a ketogenic diet may find the keto tracking function useful.
Safety concerns: None
New Zealand relevance: Yes

Consumer guide: how to choose a health app
Clinicians guide: how to choose a health app
Epilepsy apps
Epilepsy support
Epilepsy and pregnancy
Epilepsy and contraception
Anti-seizure medication
NZ Health App Library

The following are articles about apps for epilepsy

Pandher PS, Bhullar KK. Smartphone applications for seizure management(external link). Health Informatics J. 2016 Jun;22(2):209-20.

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