How accurate are witnesses of first suspected seizures in recalling semiology at clinically relevant timepoints? A UK experimental study with a pilot intervention.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

A key diagnostic challenge at "first seizure" clinic appointments is determining whether the reported event was epileptic. Witness accounts are often critical, yet such appointments typically occur weeks after the event. Guidelines recommend review within 2 weeks. Wait times are however often longer, with a median of 7 weeks in countries such as the UK. The accuracy of witness recall at these clinically relevant intervals and whether their confidence predicts accuracy have never been determined. This study addressed these fundamental questions. It also piloted a potential intervention: whether asking witnesses a set of systematic questions immediately after viewing a suspected seizure improves recall at follow-up, compared to the usual free recall approach used by first r

SUBMITTER: Noble AJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12779316 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature