Stroboscopic light effects during electronic dance music festivals and photosensitive epilepsy: a cohort study and case report

Salet, Nèwel; Visser, M.J.; Stam, Cornelis J.; Smulders, Yvo M.

doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2018-023442

Cited by 3 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…10 Attending a discotheque in The Netherlands tripled the risk for a seizure. 257 Seizures due to "sunflower epilepsy" can be self-induced by waving fingers in front of a light. 40,258 Even though triggering stimuli may be uncomfortable, the net effect of the symptoms during a seizure may be pleasurable or able to reduce tension (see section 2.2 ).…”

Section: Ledsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A PPR response, but not a seizure, occurred with the rapid flashes of an iPhone designed to constrict pupils and reduce red eye during taking of a “selfie.” 255 Seizures provoked by an undulating water surface 256 were reportedly provoked by a TV advertisement for the London Olympics in 30 susceptible watchers 10 . Attending a discotheque in The Netherlands tripled the risk for a seizure 257 . Seizures due to “sunflower epilepsy” can be self‐induced by waving fingers in front of a light 40,258 .…”

Section: Techniques To Minimize Risksmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Visually sensitive seizures: An updated review by the Epilepsy Foundation

et al. 2022

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Light flashes, patterns, or color changes can provoke seizures in up to 1 in 4000 persons. Prevalence may be higher because of selection bias. The Epilepsy Foundation reviewed light-induced seizures in 2005. Since then, images on social media, virtual reality, three-dimensional (3D) movies, and the Internet have proliferated. Hundreds of studies have explored the mechanisms and presentations of photosensitive seizures, justifying an updated review. This literature summary derives from a nonsystematic literature review via PubMed using the terms "photosensitive" and "epilepsy." The photoparoxysmal response (PPR) is an electroencephalography (EEG) phenomenon, and photosensitive seizures (PS) are seizures provoked by visual stimulation. Photosensitivity is more common in the young and in specific forms of generalized epilepsy. PS can coexist with spontaneous seizures. PS are hereditable and linked to recently identified genes. Brain imaging usually is normal, but special studies imaging white matter tracts demonstrate abnormal connectivity. Occipital cortex and connected regions are hyperexcitable in subjects with light-provoked seizures. Mechanisms remain unclear. Video games, social media clips, occasional movies, and natural stimuli can provoke PS.

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Section: Ledsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Techniques To Minimize Risksmentioning

confidence: 99%

Visually sensitive seizures: An updated review by the Epilepsy Foundation

et al. 2022

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“…Individuals with photosensitivity experience seizures, migraines, and other symptoms when exposed to specific forms of light and pattern stimuli. Seizures can be triggered by a wide variety of phenomena encountered in daily life, such as fireworks [12], concert lighting [18], and wind turbines [13]. Encountering seizure-inducing content is a particular risk when interacting with technology.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Improving Online Accessibility for Individuals with Photosensitive Epilepsy

South¹

2021

Preprint

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Content with flashes, bright colors, and repeated patterns can cause seizures and migraines when viewed by people with photosensitivity. Exposure to seizure-inducing content is a serious risk in online environments, as evidenced by documented instances of people with photosensitivity being exposed to seizure-inducing material while playing video games or using social media.My thesis focuses on improving online safety and accessibility for people with photosensitivity by measuring the prevalence of seizure-inducing content online, developing new tools for detecting seizure-inducing content, and constructing a broad framework for protecting against seizure-inducing content at the level of content creators, platforms, and content consumers. Through this work, I hope to help build a better understanding of the current state of photosensitive risk online and contribute new solutions for mitigating seizure-inducing content with minimal adverse effects on the browsing experience for users with photosensitivity.

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“…In everyday life exposure to flashing lights and other seizureinducing sequences can be minimized by avoiding places where these sequences are likely to occur, such as concerts [12], movie theaters [11], and even areas with wind turbines [8]. Innovations like social media and mixed reality alter the equation by a) increasing the likelihood of accidental exposure to seizure-inducing sequences and b) enabling attackers to directly target people with photosensitive epilepsy for a variety of motivations, including cyberbullying, intimidation, or a more general desire to inflict pain of some kind.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ethical Considerations of Photosensitive Epilepsy in Mixed Reality

South¹,

Borkin²

2020

Preprint

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As public interest in virtual and augmented reality increases, so do the risks faced by users with photosensitive epilepsy, a neurological condition where seizures are triggered by specific kinds of light stimuli. Most research on photosensitive epilepsy focuses on user interaction with television sets and does not necessarily transfer to other methods of interaction. Very little research has been done examining mixed reality from the perspective of photosensitive users and understanding the additional risks posed by new forms of immersive technology. Examples of hackers targeting people with photosensitive epilepsy through social media serve as a wake-up call about the possibility of similar malicious attacks in mixed reality. In this paper we draw from photosensitive epilepsy research to create recommendations for simple steps mixed reality developers can take to minimize photosensitive risk in their systems in addition to issuing a broader call for further research into understanding photosensitive epilepsy in the context of mixed reality.

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Stroboscopic light effects during electronic dance music festivals and photosensitive epilepsy: a cohort study and case report

Cited by 3 publications

References 12 publications

Visually sensitive seizures: An updated review by the Epilepsy Foundation

Visually sensitive seizures: An updated review by the Epilepsy Foundation

Improving Online Accessibility for Individuals with Photosensitive Epilepsy

Ethical Considerations of Photosensitive Epilepsy in Mixed Reality

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