Article published in Wiley Online Library
SUMMARY
Objective: Previous studies identified essential user preferences for seizure detection devices (SDDs), without addressing their relative strength. We performed a discrete choice experiment (DCE) to quantify attributes’ strength, and to identify the determinants of user SDD preferences.
Methods: We designed an online questionnaire targeting parents of children with epilepsy to define the optimal balance between SDD sensitivity and positive predictive value (PPV) while accounting for individual seizure frequency. We selected five DCE attributes from a recent study. Using a Bayesian design, we constructed eleven unique choice tasks and analyzed these using a mixed multinomial logit model.
Results: 100 Parents responded to the online questionnaire link; 49 completed all tasks, while 28 completed the questions, but not the DCE. Most parents preferred a relatively high sensitivity (80-90%) over a high PPV (>50%). The preferred sensitivity-to-PPV ratio correlated with seizure frequency (r=-0.32) with a preference for relative high sensitivity and low PPV among those with relative low seizure frequency (p=0.04). All DCE attributes significantly impacted parental choices. Parents expressed preferences for consulting a neurologist before device use, personally training the device’s algorithm, interaction with their child via audio and video, alarms for all seizure types, and an interface detailing measurements during an alarm. Preferences varied between subgroups (learning disability or not, SDD experience, relative low vs high seizure frequency based on the population median).
Significance: Various attributes impact parental seizure detection device preferences and may explain why preferences vary among users. Tailored approaches may help to meet the contrasting needs among seizure detection device users.