Research using an Apple Watch app to monitor seizures in people with epilepsy has found that stress and missed sleep are frequent triggers. These findings are according to a recent study at the American Academy of Neurology's 69th Annual Meeting in Boston.
For 10 months, 598 people signed up to track their seizures with an app called EpiWatch built using ResearchKit, a software framework designed by Apple to make it more convenient for researchers to collect data more regularly and more accurately from participants using iPhone and Apple Watch.
When participants felt a seizure aura starting, they opened the app and using the Apple Watch's sensors, EpiWatch recorded participants' heart rate and movements for 10 minutes. The app asked them to perform tasks to test responsiveness. After the seizure ended, participants were given a brief survey about seizure type, aura, loss of awareness and possible seizure triggers.
Study author Gregory Krauss of the American Academy of Neurology said: "The data collected will help researchers better understand epilepsy, while helping people with epilepsy keep a more complete history of their seizures," said. The app also provides helpful tracking of seizures, prescription medication use and drug side effects--activities that are important in helping people manage their condition."
Article source: MedicalXpress.com