Digital tools for epilepsy: Opportunities and barriers

Epilepsy Res. 2020 May:162:106233. doi: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2019.106233. Epub 2019 Nov 2.

Abstract

This review and commentary presents and discusses the major categories of digital tools that are currently available to epilepsy patients. This review synthesizes the breadth of resources that may be used to create a comprehensive self-management platform. The manuscript organizes the discussion into the following topics: self-management education programs, electronic diaries for self-monitoring, and automated wearables for seizure detection. Despite being available for many years, these tools are utilized by only a small fraction of epilepsy patients. To directly address this, the discussion section will opine on some of the possible barriers, including a lack of historical precedent or prescribing infrastructure, a lack of financial incentives, concerns about data privacy or liability, and uncertainty about the supporting evidence for these solutions.

Keywords: Digital health; E-diaries; Electronic diaries; Epilepsy; Epilepsy self-management; Seizure detection; Wearables.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Epilepsy / diagnosis*
  • Humans
  • Seizures / diagnosis*
  • Self-Management*
  • Wearable Electronic Devices*