[Research] Johns Hopkins researchers to use Apple Watch data to study epilepsy

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BIGMAN131307

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"Johns Hopkins researchers to use Apple Watch data to study epilepsy"

http://hub.jhu.edu/2015/10/15/apple-watch-epiwatch

Johns Hopkins researchers today introduced EpiWatch, an app designed to collect data from patients with epilepsy before, during, and after their seizures. The app, which runs on Apple Watch and iPhone, uses the open source ResearchKit framework designed by Apple.

The data gathered for the study by the app—including physiological changes, altered responsiveness, and other characteristics of recurrent seizures—will be used by researchers to better understand epilepsy, to develop new methods for (and determine the role of technology in) monitoring and managing the disorder. More than 2.5 million people are living with epilepsy in the United States.


Finally an "APP" worth the time of day.

Hopefully all patients with epilepsy can get one.
 
It is good that Apple has good intentions with their apple watch, but I would not buy an Apple Watch. Too expensive and Apple is far too likely to have a new version out just like they did the iPhone. Also, I'm an Android/Windows type of person. I have no desire for a fancy watch that can collect statistics. Nevermind that my typical seizure is primarily a focal seizure for which this study is probably not targeted.

EpiWatch is most appropriate for patients with epilepsy who may experience an "aura" that signals an oncoming seizure.

I think that statement says it all.
 
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There's a simila super-expensive "seizure watch" made by a company called Empatica.
https://www.empatica.com/product-embrace-experience
It looks nice but costs something like $1600. One nice feature is that if a child is wearing it and has a convulsive seizure, it will send an alert to the parent.

It shows promise for detecting some kinds of partial seizures. You can read what they say about the potential for detecting non-convulsive seizures here:
https://support.empatica.com/hc/en-us/articles/203222059-Can-Embrace-detect-nonconvulsive-seizures-
 
Does anyone know if the current things out there, like FitBit, are very sensitive about tracking movement in sleep in their sleep apps? I'm waking a lot in the night having myoclonics these days and am wondering just how much I am jerking during sleep and am unaware. I want to track if I am getting ANY sleep without movement anymore--if the movement is primarily in my lower back and legs, will a FitBit track that as movement if it is on my wrist? Thoughts appreciated.
 
Does anyone know if the current things out there, like FitBit, are very sensitive about tracking movement in sleep in their sleep apps? I'm waking a lot in the night having myoclonics these days and am wondering just how much I am jerking during sleep and am unaware. I want to track if I am getting ANY sleep without movement anymore--if the movement is primarily in my lower back and legs, will a FitBit track that as movement if it is on my wrist? Thoughts appreciated.
Interesting. Sorry I can't give you an answer, Lidsay, but I would like to add another question to yours. Do any of these devices monitor oxygen levels like the little clip thing they put on your finger at the hospital? I also have nocturnal "events" which I suspect may have to do with sleep apnea. If a device could record both oxygen depletion and unusual movement that would be very useful.
 
The Fitbit doesn't monitor oxygen. But it is supposed to monitor sleep. You can read about what it measures and how it measures it here.
http://help.fitbit.com/articles/en_US/Help_article/Sleep-tracking-FAQs

There are some other monitors that claim to monitor oxygen:
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Withings-Pulse-Activity-Tracker-Android/dp/B00JQ6YA6O"]Amazon.com: Withings Pulse O2 Activity, Sleep, and Heart Rate + SPO2 Tracker for iOS and Android, Black: Sports & Outdoors@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41UIc%2Buo-PL.@@AMEPARAM@@41UIc%2Buo-PL[/ame]
http://www.withings.com/us/en/products/pulse
 
I have an oxygen monitor thingy, that is supposed to record all night--it's a watch device with the finger clip. I've never recorded overnight since my computer doesn't have a DVD drive to download the data :). Aloha, it took me forever to find a device that was small, not too expensive, and that recorded data overnight. When I get home I'll pull it out and give you the make and model.
 
Nak the FitBit seems to have a sensitive sleep movement mode. Thanks for that--maybe I'll finally cave in and buy one of those.
 
I have an oxygen monitor thingy, that is supposed to record all night--it's a watch device with the finger clip. I've never recorded overnight since my computer doesn't have a DVD drive to download the data :). Aloha, it took me forever to find a device that was small, not too expensive, and that recorded data overnight. When I get home I'll pull it out and give you the make and model.
That sounds perfect. Thanks to both Nak and Lindsay.
 
Sorry Aloha I totally forgot last night--I haven't been sleeping much. I'll put it on my list and remember to send to you tonight!
 
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