Use of social media to assess the effectiveness of vagal nerve stimulation in Dravet syndrome: A caregiver's perspective
Recommended Citation
Ali R, Elsayed M, Kaur M, Air E, Mahmood N, Constantinou J, and Schwalb J. Use of social media to assess the effectiveness of vagal nerve stimulation in Dravet syndrome: A caregiver's perspective. J Neurol Sci 2017; 375:146-149.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
4-15-2017
Publication Title
Journal of the neurological sciences
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Dravet syndrome (DS) is a rare genetic epilepsy syndrome which is particularly pharmacoresistant. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is commonly used in the treatment of DS as an adjunct to medical therapy. A meaningful assessment of post-surgical outcomes with VNS is difficult given the rarity of the condition.
OBJECTIVE: In a novel approach, we used social media to contact patients with DS to gather data on post-surgical seizure reduction and overall satisfaction with VNS.
METHODS: A survey consisting of 10 questions was posted to a social media webpage for a DS support group moderated by the Dravet Syndrome Foundation. The results were analyzed and percentages reported using the integrated SurveyMonkey analytical software.
RESULTS: 49 responses were received. We found that 28.5% of patients had a >50% reduction in seizure frequency after VNS placement, 55.8% felt that VNS therapy had helped to reduce seizure frequency, and 83.7% felt that seizure severity had improved. Of the respondents, 75% felt that they would undergo VNS implantation again for similar outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS: We employed the novel technique of using social media to gather the largest set of self-reported outcomes of VNS therapy for Dravet syndrome. As corroborated by prior studies of VNS effectiveness in Dravet syndrome, there is significant albeit limited improvement in seizure control. Our study shows that despite this limitation, it is still considered a useful treatment adjunct from a caregiver's perspective.
Medical Subject Headings
Adolescent; Adult; Caregivers; Child; Child, Preschool; Epilepsies, Myoclonic; Female; Health Surveys; Humans; Infant; Male; Social Media; Treatment Outcome; Vagus Nerve Stimulation; Young Adult
PubMed ID
28320117
Volume
375
First Page
146
Last Page
149
