Publication Ready Paper

Abstract

Background: Migraine is a notably impairing neurological condition. A large number of mHealth applications are available for migraine self-management, yet patients experience of the usability and barriers remains unclear. This systematic review aimed to integrate qualitative evidence about the perspective of users who have migraine about the use of mHealth applications.

Methods: A systematic search was conducted of five databases for qualitative and mixed methods literature that report qualitative insights of patients’ experience of using migraine mHealth self-management applications. Following a screening process, a total of fourteen papers were included in the final thematic synthesis.

Results: The thematic synthesis identified five themes related to users’ experience: user friendly-design, app personalization, content relevance and clarity, emerging user needs and app lifespan, empowerment and clinical communication. The literature pointed out the need for digital health applications to evolve from simply tracking migraines into incorporating elements that promote collaborative care.

Conclusion: Users of migraine digital tools are looking for features that support their ability to effectively track their condition. Developers should prioritise patients’ feedback in the development stages to align with their needs. Moreover, future research should explore strategies to sustain long-term usability.