Tatum WO, DiCiaccio B, Yelvington KH. Cortical processing during smartphone text messaging.
Epilepsy Behav 2016;
59:117-21. [PMID:
27131913 DOI:
10.1016/j.yebeh.2016.03.018]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2016] [Revised: 03/08/2016] [Accepted: 03/10/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to report the EEG features of text messaging using smartphones.
METHODS
One hundred twenty-nine patients were prospectively evaluated during video-EEG monitoring (VEM) over 16months. A reproducible texting rhythm (TR) present during active text messaging with a smartphone was compared with passive and forced audio telephone use, thumb/finger movements, cognitive testing/calculation, scanning eye movements, and speech/language tasks in patients with and without epilepsy. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05.
RESULTS
Twenty-seven patients with a TR were identified from a cohort of 129 (93 female, mean age: 36; range: 18-71) unselected VEM patients. Fifty-three out of 129 patients had epileptic seizures (ES), 74/129 had nonepileptic seizures (NES), and 2/129 were dual-diagnosed. A reproducible TR was present in 27/129 (20.9%) specific to text messaging (p<0.0001) and present in 28% of patients with ES and 16% of patients with NES (p=NS). The TR was absent during independent tasks and audio cellular telephone use (p<0.0001). Age, gender, epilepsy type, MRI results, and EEG lateralization in patients with focal seizures were unrelated (p=NS).
CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that the TR on scalp EEG represents a novel technology-specific neurophysiological alteration of brain networks. We propose that cortical processing in the contemporary brain is uniquely activated by the use of PEDs.
SIGNIFICANCE
These findings have practical implications that could impact industry and research in nonverbal communication.
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