You're awake at 2 a.m., checking your child's room for the third time tonight. Or perhaps you're an adult with epilepsy, tired of explaining your medical device to every new person you meet. The question weighs on you: is there a way to stay safe without sacrificing dignity, privacy, or a normal home life?

When choosing a seizure monitor, focus on four critical factors: detection accuracy for your specific seizure type (especially tonic-clonic seizures), privacy-preserving technology, comfort for nightly use, and straightforward setup. And remember, the right tool depends entirely on your seizure patterns, living situation and personal goals.

Table of Contents

• Why Your Seizure Type Determines Your Monitor

• Detection Accuracy: What the Evidence Shows

• Privacy: The Hidden Dealbreaker

• Wearables vs Non-Contact Monitors

• Alert Systems That Actually Work

• Setup and Daily Reality

• SUDEP Risk and Nighttime Monitoring

• Your Decision Checklist

• Frequently Asked Questions

Why Your Seizure Type Determines Your Monitor

Before exploring specific devices, understand this critical point: no single monitor detects all seizure types. The Epilepsy Foundation makes this clear, as current devices primarily detect seizures with obvious physical movements, particularly tonic-clonic (former grand mal) seizures.

What Different Monitors Can and Cannot Detect

Tonic-clonic seizures involve rhythmic shaking and muscle stiffening. These are the easiest to detect with:

• Camera-based movement devices;

• Wearable accelerometer devices (watches, wristbands);

• Bed movement sensors placed under mattresses.

According to validation studies, devices designed for tonic-clonic seizures can achieve 90-99% sensitivity when properly configured.

Focal seizures without motor symptoms are far harder to detect. These may involve subtle movements, changes in awareness, or no visible signs at all. Most consumer monitors will miss these entirely.

Your first question shouldn't be "which monitor is best?" It should be "does any monitor reliably detect my seizure type?" Speak with your neurologist about your seizure patterns and options before investing in technology you are not sure about.

Detection Accuracy: What the Evidence Shows

Accuracy isn't just a technical specification. It determines whether a monitor provides genuine safety or false confidence.

Understanding Sensitivity and Specificity

Sensitivity measures how many real seizures the device catches. A device with 95% sensitivity detects 95 out of 100 seizures but misses 5.

Specificity measures false alarms. A device with poor specificity might alert for normal movements, rolling over in bed, adjusting pillows or even a partner's movements.

NICE guidelines (the UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) recommends that families discuss nighttime supervision for people at higher risk of epilepsy-related death, particularly when experiencing nocturnal seizures. However, evidence suggests nocturnal supervision of any kind shows protective effects.

Privacy: The Hidden Dealbreaker

Privacy concerns stop many people from using monitors they desperately need. For teenagers, adults living independently, and anyone who values their privacy, the thought of constant surveillance can feel like a trade-off between the seizure risk itself.

Why Privacy Matters More Than You Think

For people with epilepsy, especially adults, privacy concerns include:

Visible stigma:

• Wearable devices can announce your medical condition to colleagues, dates, workplace or new friends. While some people don't mind visibility, others find it exhausting to manage the social implications.

Data security:

• Who has access to your seizure data? Where is video footage stored? Can insurance companies access this information? These aren't paranoid questions, they're fundamental rights questions.

Dignity at home:

• Your bedroom should feel like your private space, not a medical facility. The difference between "being monitored" and "having support" often comes down to how intrusive the technology feels.

What Privacy-Preserving Technology Looks Like

Modern epilepsy monitors like Lampsy can respect privacy through several approaches:

Movement-only tracking:

• Systems that detect motion patterns without recording identifiable images. These analyze body position and movement rhythms rather than capturing your face or personal details.

Local processing:

• Devices that analyze data on-site rather than transmitting to cloud servers reduce data exposure.

On-demand video:

• Some systems only record when abnormal movement is detected, rather than continuous filming.

Encrypted communications:

• Alert systems that use secure, encrypted channels to notify caregivers.

Camera-based systems in particular have evolved significantly. Privacy-preserving camera technology, used in devices like Lampsy for nocturnal tonic-clonic monitoring, processes movement data without storing raw identifiable footage, addressing both medical needs and privacy concerns.

Wearables vs Non-Contact Monitors

The seizure monitoring market offers two fundamentally different approaches: devices you wear on your body and devices that monitor from a distance.

Wearable Devices (Watches, Wristbands, Patches)

How they work: Accelerometers detect repetitive shaking movements. Some also measure heart rate, skin temperature, or electrodermal activity (sweat response).

Best for:

• People who have seizures during daytime activities;

• Children whose parents can manage nightly charging routines;

• Situations requiring portability (school, work, travel);

• Anyone comfortable wearing visible medical devices.

Drawbacks:

• Nightly charging required for most models (easy to forget);

• Skin irritation from prolonged wear;

• Difficult to use in children or people with sensory issues;

• Must be worn correctly to work (loose bands reduce accuracy);

• Visible to others, can be stigmatizing for some users;

• Battery related anxiety ("Did I charge it? Is it still on?").

Clinical validation:

• Multiple wearable devices have demonstrated high sensitivity for tonic-clonic seizures in validation studies. Devices like wearable watches designed specifically for epilepsy monitoring have EU, UK and FDA clearance and peer-reviewed research supporting their use.

Cost considerations:

• Many wearables require monthly subscriptions for alert services, app access, or cloud storage on top of device purchase costs. Always calculate total cost of ownership.

  
  

Non-Contact Monitors (Cameras, Bed Sensors, Room Monitors)

How they work: Bed sensors detect mattress vibrations from convulsive movements. Camera based devices analyze video for abnormal motion patterns or sounds associated with seizures.

Best for:

• Nocturnal seizure monitoring;

• People who find wearables uncomfortable or stigmatizing;

• People with sensory issues;

• Situations where nightly routines are challenging (cognitive disabilities, forgetfulness);

• Adults seeking independence without visible medical equipment.

Drawbacks:

• Under mattress sensors can be especially difficult to travel with outside your home;

• Bed sensors can miss seizures that happen off the bed;

• Some camera systems require Wi-Fi and stable power;

• Initial privacy concerns (though privacy-preserving technology is used in these devices);

• Partner movements may trigger false alarms on sensitive bed sensors.

Clinical considerations:

• NICE guidelines note that bed monitors and camera systems can be part of nighttime supervision strategies for people at risk. While evidence for preventing SUDEP specifically is limited, observational studies show protective effects of any form of nocturnal supervision.

Making the Choice

Choose wearables if:

• Your seizures happen during the day or during activity;

• You need monitoring while traveling;

• You're comfortable with visible medical devices;

• Someone can manage the charging routine.

Choose non-contact monitoring if:

• Your seizures primarily happen during sleep;

• You value privacy and want monitoring that's invisible to guests;

• You struggle with consistent nightly routines;

• You're at risk for SUDEP (non-contact systems specifically designed for nocturnal monitoring may be more appropriate);

• You want to be able to see and monitor constantly the room in questions (for camera-based devices).

Consider both if your seizures happen day and night, and you want comprehensive coverage.

Alert Systems That Actually Work

A seizure detected but not acted upon provides little safety benefit. Alert systems matter as much as detection accuracy.

Alert Speed and Reliability

Research on SUDEP shows that most deaths occur when people are alone and unobserved. The protective effect of supervision comes from the ability to intervene: repositioning someone, preventing airway obstruction or calling emergency services if a seizure doesn't end after 5 minutes (status-epilepticus).

Alert timing matters: Evidence from epilepsy monitoring units suggests intervention within 3 minutes of a generalized tonic-clonic seizure can be life-saving in near-SUDEP events. Your monitor's system should notify emergency contacts fast enough for intervention.

Customization Requirements

Not all alerts are equal. Your monitor should allow:

Multiple notification methods: Phone calls, app alerts, push-notifications, loud alarms. Different situations demand different alert types.

Tiered caregiver lists: Primary contact gets instant notification, secondary contacts receive alerts if primary doesn't respond or what is setup in the permissions.

Adjustable sensitivity: Higher sensitivity means more false alarms but fewer missed seizures. You should be able to tune this based on your specific seizure patterns and household activity.

Event recording: Ability to review what triggered the alert helps reduce future false positives and provides valuable information for your medical team.

Real-World Alert Challenges

The 2019 Prevent21 Summit in the UK, focused on SUDEP prevention, emphasized a critical point: monitoring devices alone don't prevent SUDEP. someone must be available to intervene. This means:

• Alert systems must reach someone who can physically respond;

• Nighttime alerts need to wake sleeping caregivers reliably;

• Caregivers in separate buildings or far away may not reach you in time for certain emergencies.

Setup and Daily Reality

A brilliant device that sits unused in a drawer protects no one. Setup complexity and daily friction determine whether monitoring actually happens.

Initial Installation

Wearable devices:

• Typically ready to use within 10-20 minutes;

• Requires smartphone app download and pairing;

• Initial calibration may need several nights of data collection;

• Updates and troubleshooting via app.

Non-contact monitors:

• Bed sensors: 15-30 minutes (place under mattress, connect to control unit);

• Camera systems: 10-20 minutes (mounting, WiFi connection, room calibration);

• Some systems require precise positioning for optimal detection;

The Nightly Routine Reality

Ideal scenario: Zero steps. Device is always on, always working, requires no thought.

Wearable reality:

• Put on device (if removed during day)

• Ensure it's charged

• Verify it's paired to phone and working

• Check app shows "monitoring active"

This 4-step routine sounds trivial but becomes a nightly burden. Teenagers especially may "forget" devices that make them feel different.

Non-contact reality:

• Open the app on your phone to ensure everything is working;

This is the advantage of "set-and-forget" systems. Once installed, camera-based monitors or bed sensors require no nightly routines.

Travel and Portability

Wearables win dramatically here. Toss your watch in a bag and monitoring travels with you.

Non-contact systems require reinstallation at each location, manageable for a week-long stay with family, impractical for business travel or weekend trips.

Maintenance and Lifespan

Ask before purchasing:

• What's the warranty period?

• How long do batteries last before device replacement?

• Are parts (charging cables, sensors, bands) readily available?

• What happens if the company discontinues the model?

SUDEP Risk and Nighttime Monitoring

Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) is the most serious risk for people with uncontrolled seizures. Understanding SUDEP helps frame monitoring decisions appropriately.

What We Know About SUDEP

SUDEP accounts for 23.3% of unexplained sudden deaths in people under 50 in some populations. The majority of SUDEP cases share common features:

• Occur during sleep

• Happen when the person is alone

• Often follow a tonic-clonic seizure

• Involve breathing and heart rhythm problems

Primary risk factors include:

• Presence and frequency of generalized tonic-clonic seizures

• Not sharing a bedroom with someone who can respond

• Poor medication adherence

• Young adulthood (20s-40s)

• Nocturnal seizures

Your Decision Checklist

Use this list to evaluate seizure monitors:

Step 1: Match Monitor to Seizure Type

• [ ] I know my seizure type (confirmed by neurologist)

• [ ] My seizures involve obvious physical movements (tonic-clonic, convulsive)

• [ ] OR: My seizures are subtle and current monitors may not detect them

• [ ] I understand which devices are validated for my seizure type

Step 2: Assess Privacy Needs

• [ ] I'm comfortable with a visible medical device (wearable)

• [ ] OR: I need discreet monitoring that doesn't announce my condition

• [ ] I understand where my data is stored and who has access

• [ ] The device uses privacy-preserving technology (if camera-based)

• [ ] I've read the privacy policy and data sharing terms

Step 3: Evaluate Comfort and Usability

• [ ] I can manage nightly charging (if wearable)

• [ ] OR: I will forget and feel more comfortable with zero-maintenance monitoring (non-contact)

• [ ] The device is comfortable for all-night use

• [ ] Setup is within my technical comfort level

• [ ] The device doesn't cause sensory issues (lights, sounds, textures)

Step 4: Verify Detection Performance

• [ ] Manufacturer provides clinical validation data

• [ ] Sensitivity >90% for my seizure type (ideally >95%)

• [ ] False alarm rate is acceptable for my living situation

• [ ] Device is FDA-cleared, CE-marked, or has equivalent certification

Step 5: Check Alert System

• [ ] Alerts reach designated caregivers reliably

• [ ] Multiple notification methods available

• [ ] Alert speed supports timely intervention (within 3 minutes ideal)

• [ ] I can customize sensitivity and alert recipients

• [ ] System includes event logging for medical review

Step 6: Consider Practical Factors

• [ ] Upfront cost fits my budget

• [ ] Ongoing costs (subscriptions, batteries) are sustainable

• [ ] Device works with my living situation (travel needs, home setup)

• [ ] Company provides responsive customer support

• [ ] Warranty and return policy are fair

Frequently Asked Questions

What seizure types can monitors detect reliably?

Current consumer monitors work best for tonic-clonic (grand mal) seizures involving rhythmic shaking and muscle movements. Devices with clinical validation report 90-99% detection rates for these seizures. Focal seizures without obvious motor symptoms, absence seizures, and subtle seizure types are much harder to detect. Always confirm with your neurologist whether available monitors are appropriate for your specific seizure type.

Do seizure monitors prevent SUDEP?

No device is proven to prevent SUDEP. However, evidence suggests nocturnal supervision, including monitoring devices, shows protective effects by converting unwitnessed seizures into witnessed ones, enabling intervention. NICE guidelines recommend discussing nighttime supervision for people at higher risk, while acknowledging the evidence base remains limited. Monitors should be viewed as risk-reduction tools, not guarantees of safety.

Are camera-based monitors a privacy risk?

It depends on the technology. Older camera systems stored raw video footage, raising legitimate privacy concerns. Modern privacy-preserving camera monitors analyze movement patterns in real-time without storing identifiable video. Ask manufacturers: "Is raw footage ever stored or transmitted?" and "Where is my data processed?" Look for systems with local processing, encryption, and clear data policies. For nocturnal monitoring specifically, privacy-preserving camera systems offer advantages over wearables for some users.

How much do seizure monitors cost?

Devices typically cost 300-400 upfront, plus 10-30/month subscription fees for alerts and cloud features. Calculate total cost of ownership, including batteries, extra accessories you might need and subscriptions. Some insurance plans or assistance programs may offset costs, check with manufacturers or your insurance about financial support options.

Can I travel with my seizure monitor?

Wearable devices travel easily. pack them like any watch. Non-contact monitors (bed sensors, cameras) require reinstallation at each location, making frequent travel slightly less practical. Consider your travel frequency and whether monitoring gaps during travel are acceptable to you.

Do I need my doctor's prescription for a seizure monitor?

Most consumer monitors don't require prescriptions in the UK/EU/US, though some FDA-cleared medical devices may. However, you should absolutely discuss monitoring with your neurologist before purchasing. They can advise whether monitors are appropriate for your seizure type, help you understand SUDEP risk, and integrate monitoring into your overall treatment plan. Some medical insurance may cover devices with a prescription.

What if I have seizures both during the day and at night?

You may benefit from both wearable and non-contact monitoring. Use a wearable device during waking hours when you're active, and non-contact monitoring (camera or bed sensor) at night. This dual approach ensures coverage without requiring you to wear a device 24/7. Discuss with your doctor whether comprehensive monitoring justifies the additional cost.

How accurate should my seizure monitor be?

For tonic-clonic seizures, aim for devices with >95% sensitivity based on published validation studies. Balance sensitivity against false alarm rates, and remember that no monitor replaces optimized medical treatment and medication adherence.

Have questions about seizure monitoring or want to discuss your specific situation? Explore our complete epilepsy resource library and speak with your neurologist about which monitoring approach fits your needs.