Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41875430›Full record

ArticleJournal of medical Internet research2026

Challenges of Standard Pediatric Epilepsy Monitoring and the Potential Benefits of Contactless Sensor Technologies: Exploratory Qualitative Study.

Natalie Öhl, Dilbar Strack, Stefan Martin Kusnik, Isabell Link, Marlene Hofmann, Tobias Steigleder, Alina Weisser, Christoph Ostgathe, Regina Trollmann, Maria Heckel

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of medical Internet research, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Natalie ÖhlDepartment of Palliative Medicine, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Werner-von-Siemens Str. 34, Erlangen, 91052, Germany, 49 91127253859.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2271-6865
Dilbar StrackDepartment of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Division of Pediatric Neurology and Social Pediatrics, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0005-8733-5261
Stefan Martin KusnikDepartment of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Division of Pediatric Neurology and Social Pediatrics, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0006-4584-6650
Isabell LinkDepartment of Palliative Medicine, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Werner-von-Siemens Str. 34, Erlangen, 91052, Germany, 49 91127253859.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2764-0190
Marlene HofmannDepartment of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Division of Pediatric Neurology and Social Pediatrics, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0000-5241-7201
Tobias SteiglederDepartment of Palliative Medicine, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Werner-von-Siemens Str. 34, Erlangen, 91052, Germany, 49 91127253859.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0429-7051
Alina WeisserDepartment of Palliative Medicine, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Werner-von-Siemens Str. 34, Erlangen, 91052, Germany, 49 91127253859.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0000-8898-0004
Christoph OstgatheDepartment of Palliative Medicine, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Werner-von-Siemens Str. 34, Erlangen, 91052, Germany, 49 91127253859.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4449-5036
Regina TrollmannDepartment of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Division of Pediatric Neurology and Social Pediatrics, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6031-8537
Maria HeckelDepartment of Palliative Medicine, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Werner-von-Siemens Str. 34, Erlangen, 91052, Germany, 49 91127253859.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6212-2562

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Epilepsy is a common neurological condition in children, and accurate detection of seizures and their frequency is essential for diagnosis and treatment. Standard monitoring using electroencephalography alongside clinical observation is often burdensome in pediatric settings, as electrodes can cause discomfort and restrict mobility. Contactless sensor technologies may offer a promising supplement by enabling monitoring without physical contact. Objective: This study aims to explore challenges in standard pediatric epilepsy monitoring from the perspective of health care professionals and examines the potential benefits and requirements of supplementary contactless sensor technologies in this setting. Methods: Participant observation of routine processes in standard pediatric epilepsy monitoring was conducted at a German university hospital. Field notes from 40 observed procedures were analyzed using structuring content analysis. Building on these findings, a focus group with pediatric neurologists, nurses, and medical technical assistants (n=6) explored the potential benefits and implementation requirements of contactless sensor technologies. Focus group data were analyzed using focus group illustration maps. Results: A reference workflow of standard pediatric epilepsy monitoring was derived, revealing psychosocial, medical, and organizational challenges faced by health care professionals. Electroencephalography recordings and clinical observation required considerable reassurance of patients and parents or carers, were vulnerable to movement artifacts and incomplete seizure documentation, and were labor- and resource-intensive. Focus group participants viewed contactless sensor technologies as a potentially valuable supplement by enabling continuous long-term monitoring with minimal additional burden. Conclusions: By identifying challenges associated with standard pediatric epilepsy monitoring, this study provides a foundation for the needs-based development and implementation of supplementary contactless sensor technologies. Such technologies should be tailored to the clinical setting and designed to address existing burdens, with the potential to complement standard monitoring.

Indexed as

ElectroencephalographyEpilepsyChildFocus GroupsGermanyHumansMonitoring, PhysiologicQualitative Researchepilepsymonitoringpediatricsqualitative researchtechnology

Identifiers

PMID41875430
PMCPMC13012698

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.