UCL Discovery
UCL home » Library Services » Electronic resources » UCL Discovery

Optimising the use of EEG in non-epileptic attack disorder: Results of a UK national service evaluation

Kandler, R; Lawrence, S; Pang, C; Lai, M; Whitehead, K; (2018) Optimising the use of EEG in non-epileptic attack disorder: Results of a UK national service evaluation. Seizure , 55 pp. 57-65. 10.1016/j.seizure.2018.01.005. Green open access

[thumbnail of Whitehead_PaperNEAD Revised 4 Jan 2018 Changes marked_for repository.pdf]
Preview
Text
Whitehead_PaperNEAD Revised 4 Jan 2018 Changes marked_for repository.pdf - Accepted Version

Download (718kB) | Preview

Abstract

PURPOSE: To produce an evidence base to formulate guidelines for optimal performance of EEG in patients referred with a possible diagnosis of non-epileptic attack disorder (NEAD). METHODS: 51 UK EEG departments participated in the prospective study. A pro-forma was completed for all consecutive patients aged 5 years and over referred for EEG over a six month period. Information obtained included referral diagnosis, occurrence/type of attack during EEG, the use of suggestion, length of recording and who was present during the EEG. RESULTS: 11,298 patients were entered into the study. 376 psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) occurred of which 337 were considered to be of the habitual type. In those patients suspected of having NEAD prior to referral, the use of verbal suggestion increased the yield of habitual attacks by a factor of three in both adults and children. Using suggestive techniques twice, improved the yield further. Non-habitual attacks occurred equally whether or not suggestion was used. At least 90% of habitual PNES occurred within the first 30 min of recording even in those patients having prolonged EEGs. In EEGs where additional professional personnel were present, PNES occurred more frequently. CONCLUSION: This large multicentre study provides evidence to inform recommendations for EEG to investigate NEAD. We recommend the use of verbal suggestion at least twice and where practical the presence of additional professional staff. A thirty minute recording is sufficient to record a habitual PNES in most instances.

Type: Article
Title: Optimising the use of EEG in non-epileptic attack disorder: Results of a UK national service evaluation
Location: England
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2018.01.005
Publisher version: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seizure.2018.01.005
Language: English
Additional information: This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions.
Keywords: EEG, Epilepsy, Non-epileptic attack disorder, Provocation techniques, Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures, Suggestive techniques
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Life Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Life Sciences > Div of Biosciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Life Sciences > Div of Biosciences > Neuro, Physiology and Pharmacology
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10043431
Downloads since deposit
186Downloads
Download activity - last month
Download activity - last 12 months
Downloads by country - last 12 months

Archive Staff Only

View Item View Item