Effect of lunar phase on frequency of psychogenic nonepileptic events in the EMU

Bolen, Robert D.; Campbell, Zeke; Dennis, William A.; Koontz, Elizabeth H.; Pritchard, Paul B.

doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2016.03.017

Cited by 6 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…However, that study included patients with epilepsy, without analysing the impact of confounding variables such as alcohol on breakthrough seizures. The evidence for non‐epileptic seizures (previously known as pseudoseizures) following lunar cycles appears more consistent, with two studies reporting that the full moon was only associated with an increase in non‐epileptic seizures 3,4 and another finding a statistically significant skew towards the first quarter of the lunar phase 14 . It should be noted those studies were based on data from epilepsy monitoring units rather than spontaneous seizures in the community, hence introducing a considerable bias.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 87%

“…The evidence for non-epileptic seizures (previously known as pseudoseizures) following lunar cycles appears more consistent, with two studies reporting that the full moon was only associated with an increase in non-epileptic seizures 3,4 and another finding a statistically significant skew towards the first quarter of the lunar phase. 14 It should be noted those studies were based on data from epilepsy monitoring units rather than spontaneous seizures in the community, hence introducing a considerable bias. Our study's exclusion of non-epileptic seizures and provoked seizures through rigorous clinical assessment may explain the different results.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Revisiting an ancient legend: influence of the lunar cycle on occurrence of first‐ever unprovoked seizures

Wang

Boston

Lawn³

et al. 2022

Internal Medicine Journal

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Background The mythical effect of the lunar cycle on seizures has been debated over time. Previously healthy individuals presenting with first‐ever seizures in whom investigations are negative often invoke questions about potential reasons including a full moon. Aims To determine whether there is a temporal relationship between the occurrence of the first‐ever unprovoked seizure and the lunar cycle. Methods We studied adults who presented with a first‐ever unprovoked seizure to two tertiary centres in Australia. Seizure onset time was obtained from the emergency department and ambulance documentations. We used Poisson regression modelling and incidence rate ratios (IRR) to determine whether seizures have a preponderance for a particular lunar phase. We performed further analysis on ‘first seizure epilepsy’ and ‘first seizure not epilepsy’ subgroups based on the International League Against Epilepsy criteria for a diagnosis of epilepsy after a single unprovoked seizure. Results We analysed 1710 patients (38% females; median age 39 years), of whom 18% had epileptiform abnormalities on electroencephalogram (EEG) and potentially epileptogenic lesions were detected on neuroimaging in 28%. Based on the EEG and imaging findings, 684 (40%) patients were categorised as ‘first seizure epilepsy’ and 1026 (60%) ‘first seizure not epilepsy’. The whole cohort and subgroup analysis demonstrated no significant difference in the seizure occurrence among the four lunar quarters. Conclusions First unprovoked seizures are not influenced by the lunar cycle. Patients pondering the cause of their first‐ever unprovoked seizure can be reassured that the full moon was not responsible.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 87%