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Rating scale for psychogenic nonepileptic seizures: scale development and clinimetric testing
Vittoria Cianci1, Edoardo Ferlazzo, Francesca Condino
1Institute of Neurology, Magna Græcia University, Catanzaro, Italy.
Epilepsy & Behavior : E&B
|May 6, 2011
Summary
Researchers developed a new scale to evaluate psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES). This scale accurately assesses PNES motor phenomena and associated features, aiding in patient assessment and comparison.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Clinical Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) present diagnostic challenges.
- Objective evaluation of PNES phenomenology is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a clinimetric scale for assessing motor phenomena, associated features, and severity of PNES.
- To establish the interrater reliability and concurrent validity of the new PNES scale.
Main Methods:
- Sixty video-electroencephalogram (EEG)-recorded PNES events were evaluated.
- A novel PNES scale was developed and tested for interrater reliability using AC1, Kendall's coefficient of concordance (KCC), and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs).
- Concurrent validity was assessed by correlating PNES scale scores with the Clinical Global Impression (CGI) scale using Spearman correlations.
Main Results:
- The AC1 statistic indicated good interrater reliability for individual PNES phenomena.
- KCC and ICC demonstrated moderate interrater agreement for overall phenomenology, associated features, and total PNES scores.
- A significant positive correlation (Spearman's rho = 0.69, P<0.001) was found between the PNES scale and CGI scores.
Conclusions:
- The developed PNES scale is a reliable and valid instrument for evaluating the phenomenology of psychogenic nonepileptic seizures.
- This scale can aid in the objective assessment and comparison of PNES patient subgroups.
- The findings support the use of this scale in clinical practice and research for PNES evaluation.
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