Accepted for/Published in: Journal of Medical Internet Research
Date Submitted: Aug 26, 2025
Date Accepted: Jan 27, 2026
Challenges of standard pediatric epilepsy monitoring and the potential benefits of contactless sensor technologies: an explorative qualitative approach
ABSTRACT
Background:
In epilepsy, reliable detection of seizures and monitoring of frequency are key. The gold standard is electroencephalograhy (EEG) alongside clinical observation, which come along with various challenges. Contactless sensor technologies offer potential by enabling monitoring without physical touch.
Objective:
This paper explores the challenges in standard pediatric epilepsy monitoring procedures and outlines the potential benefits of contactless sensor technologies.
Methods:
We conducted participant observation of routine processes in standard pediatric epilepsy monitoring at a German university hospital. Field notes were made on the procedures observed (n = 40) and we conducted structuring content analysis on the descriptions emerging from the notes. We discussed potential benefits of contactless sensor technologies for pediatric epilepsy monitoring with a focus group consisting of pediatric neurologists, nurses, and medical technical assistants (n = 6). Analysis was carried out using focus group illustration maps.
Results:
A reference workflow of routine processes in standard pediatric epilepsy monitoring emerged. This revealed psychosocial, medical, and organizational challenges faced by healthcare professionals in these processes. EEG recordings and clinical observation require professionals to calm patients and parents/carers, are prone to artifacts and errors, and are labor- and resource-intensive. The focus group’s findings indicated that contactless sensor technologies enable continuous long-term monitoring with low stress for patients.
Conclusions:
Having identified challenges associated with standard epilepsy monitoring, we have created a substantive foundation for the development of new supplementary technology. Those involved in developing such technologies should be aware of the challenges of the standard procedure and attempt to address them. Clinical Trial: Deutsches Register Klinischer Studien (DRKS); DRKS00027017; Registration Date: 16.11.2021; https://drks.de/search/de/trial/DRKS00027017
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