A connected armband detects 85% of nocturnal epileptic seizures during a new trial

A new study in the journal Neurology shows that NightWatch, a connected armband based in Leiden (Netherlands), LivAssured, detected nocturnal epileptic seizures in 85% of cases.

The device has been developed for 20 years by a consortium of Kempenhaeghe Epilepsy Center, Eindhoven University of Technology, Foundation for Epilepsy Institutions in the Netherlands (SEIN), UMC Utrecht, Fund for epilepsy, patient representatives and LivAssured. It uses a combination of heart rate monitoring and activity to detect nocturnal seizures, then communicates wirelessly to alert caregivers or nurses.

In the study, 28 patients were followed out of a total of 1,826 nights (an average of 65 nights per participant), during which 809 major seizures took place. The researchers compared the wearable to a standard bed sensor and used video surveillance to identify missing seizures by both devices.

They found that NightWatch outperformed bed sensors, detecting 85% of seizures and 96% of tonic-clonic seizures, the most serious variety.

Why is it important

Nocturnal seizures are one of the most dangerous parts of epilepsy and current methods of monitoring these epilepsies are inaccurate, bulky, or both. The study showed not only that NightWatch was reasonably accurate, but also that healthcare providers found the system easy to use, giving it an average rating of 7.3 out of 10 in terms of usability.

"SUDEP, sudden and unexpected death related to epilepsy, is a leading cause of death in patients with epilepsy," said Michiel Jansen, product manager. wrote in a press release. "People with intellectual disabilities and severe epilepsy resistant to treatment can even run a risk of death from epilepsy by 20% during their lifetime."

The LivAssured NightWatch team has been perfecting its algorithm for a number of years and now hopes to offer the device in Europe, and eventually worldwide.

"Nightwatch can now be widely used by adults, in institutions and at home," wrote Jansen. "[Neurologist and research leader Prof. Dr. Johan] Arends expects this to reduce the number of CPUE-SUDE cases by two-thirds, although this also depends on how quickly and efficiently caregivers or informal carers respond to alerts . Applied on a global scale, it can save thousands of lives. "

What is the trend

The treatment of epilepsy is recognized as a case of privileged use of connected wearables for a number of years, but when MobiHealthNews examined space in 2013, we discovered most public efforts in the space had stagnated.

Recently, however, there has been more progress. Empatica, which manufactures consumer Embrace portable clothing and E4 clinics, continues to develop its devices after a successful crowdfunding campaign. Other projects have sought to take advantage of the sensors on the shelf like the Microsoft Band to detect crises.