Views of patients with epilepsy on seizure prediction devices

Abstract

Patients views on the relevance, performance requirements, and implementation of seizure prediction devices have so far not been evaluated in a standardized form. We here report views of outpatients with uncontrolled epilepsy from the epilepsy centers at Freiburg, Germany, and Coimbra, Portugal, based on a questionnaire. Interest in the development of methods for seizure prediction both for warning and for closed-loop interventions is high. High sensitivity of prediction is regarded as more important than specificity. Short prediction time windows are preferred, but the indication of seizure-prone periods is also considered worthwhile. Only a few patients are, however, willing to wear EEG electrodes for signal acquisition on a long-term basis. These data support the view that seizure prediction is of high interest to patients with uncontrolled epilepsy. Improvements in the performance of presently available prediction algorithms and technical improvements in EEG recording will, however, be necessary to meet patients requirements.