2026 American Academy of Neurology Abstract Website

Objective:

This study aims to measure the level of transportation security among patients with epilepsy in New Jersey (NJ).

Background:

People with epilepsy, especially those with ongoing seizures with loss of consciousness, are typically restricted from driving. In NJ, patients cannot drive until they achieve seizure freedom for 6 months, which is not always possible, especially with drug-resistant epilepsy. Very little research has been done evaluating transportation security for patients with epilepsy, thus far.

Design/Methods:

Participants from two epilepsy centers were recruited and completed the validated University of Michigan Transportation Security Index (TSI), a measure of transportation as a social determinant of health, as well as additional demographic and clinical information. Statistical analysis, including descriptive and bivariate analyses with the student t-test, were performed using SAS.

Results:

A total of 15 people with epilepsy from one center participated in the study, of whom 8/15 (53.3%) currently drive on a regular basis (at least a few times per week) using their own personal vehicle. The mean TSI score for people who drive was 7.3 + 9.5 (mean + standard deviation), indicating low insecurity, versus 16.3 + 6.1, indicating high insecurity, for those who do not drive. The TSI score was significantly higher for participants who do not drive (p = 0.048). A similar number (25% of drivers versus 28.6% of non-drivers) take public transportation on either the bus or train a few times a week or more.

Conclusions:

Preliminary findings from our study indicate people with epilepsy who do not drive regularly with a personal vehicle experience higher transportation insecurity than those who do. These results indicate the need for further research and investigation into increasing access to transportation in NJ, especially for those who cannot drive for medical reasons, such as epilepsy. Recruitment remains ongoing.