Questionnaire Analysis

The Seizure Severity Questionnaire (SSQ-11) was developed by Cramer and French in 2001. Traditionally, seizures in patients have been evaluated primarily based on event frequency. The questionnaire includes questions related to the frequency and symptoms of seizures, as well as the frequency and severity of pre- and post-seizure conditions.

Objective of the Questionnaire

The purpose of the questionnaire is to assess the severity of epileptic seizures as a therapeutic response in clinical trials, focusing on specific rare, severe, and disruptive features of seizures.

Question Scoring

Participants are asked to respond by reflecting on how they felt before, during, and after a seizure. The questionnaire consists of 11 questions and 22 sub-items, with responses provided on a 7-point Likert scale. The scale ranges from 1 (Not at all bothered) to 7 (Extremely/Constantly bothered).

Statistical Analysis

The questionnaire yields a total score by summing the scores from each question, with a possible range from 1 to 175. Higher scores indicate a greater level of symptoms before, during, or after a seizure.

Validity and Reliability

The questionnaire demonstrated acceptable internal consistency, with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.76. It also showed acceptable test-retest reliability with a value of 0.74. Construct validity was supported by statistically significant correlations with similar questionnaires and scales.

References

Cramer, J. A., & French, J. (2001). Quantitative assessment of seizure severity for clinical trials: a review of approaches to seizure components. Epilepsia, 42(1), 119–129.