The influence of the full moon on seizure frequency: myth or reality?

Benbadis, Selim R.; Chang, Stanley; Hunter, Joel; Wang, Wei

doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2004.04.001

Cited by 50 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…The heightened brightness during full moon inducing sleep disruption, more sleep in superficial stages, and consecutively increased daily drowsiness leading to a lowered seizure threshold was proposed as an explanation for seizures clustering at full moon. Nevertheless, this assumption still lacks sound statistical substantiation, and only one study recently reported an association of full moon with an increased frequency of seizures and clusters of seizures [26]; this observation contrasts with another earlier published study that did not support this hypothesis [27]. The present study confirmed a significant association of a specific part of the moon cycle, that is, about 3 to 4 days after new moon, with the rate of admission of patients with SE.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 75%

“…Additionally, admissions peaked between 10 and 11 PM and were lowest between 3 and 4 PM. Another study, published 2 years before, however, does not support this hypothesis [27]. Benbadis and colleagues observed the onset of seizures in their epilepsy monitoring unit over 3 years and searched for an association with the lunar phase, which they also subdivided into four quarters.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

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Association of environmental factors with the onset of status epilepticus

Rüegg

Hunziker

Marsch

et al. 2008

Epilepsy & Behavior

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 75%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Association of environmental factors with the onset of status epilepticus

Rüegg

Hunziker

Marsch

et al. 2008

Epilepsy & Behavior

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“…5 By contrast, a recent study concluded that there is no full-moon effect on epileptic seizures, although there is a possible effect on PNES. 6 Theoretical models explaining how lunar phases might affect seizure occurrences are lacking. However, a general underlying assumption that a seizure can arise out of the "interaction" of the person with epilepsy and environment has been suggested.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lunar phases and seizure occurrence: Just an ancient legend?

Polychronopoulos

Argyriou²,

Sirrou³

et al. 2006

Neurology

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The authors retrospectively reviewed all neurologic records of an emergency unit from 1999 to 2003 to identify a potential association between lunar phases and seizure occurrence. Overall 859 patients admitted for seizure occurrence were divided into the four quarters of the synodic month according to moon phases. A significant clustering of seizures around the full moon period was observed, supporting the ancient belief of periodic increased seizure frequency during full-moon days.

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“…Lunar phases were also associated with the number of requests for appointment at a thyroid outpatient clinic [17]. On the other hand, a number of studies showed insufficient evidence or no association between various health-related events and the synodic lunar cycle [18][19][20][21][22][23][24]. Studies also showed that lunar periodicity may be associated with traffic accidents [25], crime [26], suicides, aggravated assaults and psychiatric emergency room visits [7].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Association between lunar phase and sleep characteristics

et al. 2014

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230Main text: 2938 Tables: 4 3 ABSTRACT Objectives: Popular belief holds that the lunar cycle affects human physiology, behavior and health, including sleep. To date, only a few and conflicting analyses have been published about the association between lunar phases and sleep. Our aim was to analyze the relationship between lunar phases and sleep characteristics. Methods:In this retrospective, cross-sectional analysis data from 319 patients who had been referred for sleep study were included. Individuals with apnea-hypopnea index≥15/h were excluded. Sociodemographic parameters were recorded. All participants underwent one-night standard polysomnography. Associations between lunar cycle (new moon, full moon and alternate moon) and sleep parameters were examined in unadjusted and adjusted models.Results: 57% of patients were males. Mean age for men was 45±14 years and 51±12 years for women. 224 persons had their sleep study done during alternate moon, 47 during full moon and 48 during new moon. There were no significant differences regarding age and gender between groups.Full moon was associated with lower sleep efficiency (median(%) [ Conclusion:Our results are consistent with a recent report and the widely held belief that sleep characteristics may be associated with the full moon.

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The influence of the full moon on seizure frequency: myth or reality?

Cited by 50 publications

References 13 publications

Association of environmental factors with the onset of status epilepticus

Association of environmental factors with the onset of status epilepticus

Lunar phases and seizure occurrence: Just an ancient legend?

Association between lunar phase and sleep characteristics

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