Abstracts

Rationale: Ambulatory devices are presently being developed for continuous EEG analyses encompassing seizure detection or seizure prediction. So far there is insufficient data as to the patients acceptance of such devices worn on a continuous bases, and to the patients requirements as to the functioning of such devices. We here report first results of an ongoing study on patients attitudes on ambulatory devices for seizure prediction. Methods: Outpatients of the Freiburg tertiary epilepsy center with a clinically ascertained diagnosis of epilepsy and incomplete seizure control with presently administered antiepileptic treatment were asked to fill out a questionnaire. Items included were the role for unpredictability of epileptic seizures for everyday life, their estimation on the importance of seizure prediction methods, requirements on sensitivity and specificity, and their personal acceptance of continuous ambulatory assessment. Items were given as yes/no responses, evaluations on Likert Skales, and included some free entries, e.g. on the major advantages of such a system for the individual patient. Results: Preliminary results of the ongoing assessment suggest that most patients regard the unpredictability of seizure occurrence as a major problem. Most patients regarded the development of seizure prediction systems as of high importance, but had high requirements on the sensitivity and on specificity. The majority of patients declared their readiness to participate in the evaluation of a seizure prediction device. Conclusions: These preliminary results support the notion that there is a great patients interest in the implementation of seizure prediction devices. They suggest, however, that the performance of present-day prediction algorithms may have to be improved before a clinical trial can be launched. Supported by EU-grant 211713 EPILEPSIAE