title: A descriptive analysis of seizure events among adults who participated in a computer-based assessment.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to document seizure events associated with the use of a computer-based assessment and to describe the contextual factors surrounding these seizure episodes. Study participants were adults with epilepsy who were enrolled at research sites in Atlanta and Boston. Subjects were asked to complete a computer-based assessment at 3 time points. Fourteen seizure events were documented; they occurred during 1.6% of all completed assessments (896) and affected 4.4% of the participants (320). The mean age of participants who experienced seizure events was 41.4 years; about 70% were female, and 70% were white. A variety of possible precipitating factors for seizure events included hunger, fatigue, stress, and medication changes. Participants indicated computer use could have triggered their seizures in 2 instances. These findings suggest use of computer-based assessments may pose minimal risks for adults with epilepsy, particularly those without a history of photosensitivity epilepsy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA. cdiiori@sph.emory.edu
authors.forename: Colleen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dilorio
authors.forename: Elizabeth L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Reisinger
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yeager
authors.forename: Donald L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Schomer
authors.forename: Thomas R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Henry
authors.forename: Patricia Osborne
authors.initials: PO
authors.lastname: Shafer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001900:Boston; D016288:Computer Terminals; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D004569:Electroencephalography; D020195:Epilepsy, Reflex / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D005845:Georgia; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D015985:Precipitating Factors; D012648:Self Care; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications