What is the most relevant article in the realm of Evidence-Based Nursing (EBN) regarding Electroencephalography (EEG) that could serve as a framework for a manuscript?

From the Guidelines

I strongly recommend the article "2023 international consensus on cardiopulmonary resuscitation and emergency cardiovascular care science with treatment recommendations" published in Circulation in 2023 1 as the best article in the context of EEG that provides a valuable outline for a manuscript. This article is particularly relevant because it provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of knowledge on EEG applications in clinical practice, including its use in predicting favorable neurological outcomes. The article's methodology section is rigorous, detailing search strategies and inclusion criteria, and the findings are organized into thematic sections addressing the efficacy, implementation challenges, and clinical implications of EEG in various clinical contexts. What makes this article especially valuable as a template for manuscripts on EEG-related topics is its balanced presentation of evidence, critical analysis of methodological limitations in existing research, and clear practice recommendations. The discussion effectively bridges research findings with clinical applications, and the conclusion identifies specific knowledge gaps and future research directions, making it an excellent guide for structuring a manuscript on any EEG-related clinical application in nursing practice. Key points from the article, such as the importance of continuous or nearly continuous normal-voltage EEG without abundant periodic discharges or seizures for predicting favorable neurological outcomes, are supported by tables detailing sensitivity and specificity from various studies, including those by Admiraal et al, 2019, and Duez et al, 2019 1. Additionally, the article's consideration of the consistency of evidence and the consistency of the definition made using ACNS or ACNS-compatible terminology adds depth to its analysis, as noted in the discussions around Tables 10,11, and 12 1. The article's approach to evaluating the prognostic value of EEG patterns, including the use of reduced-montage or amplitude-integrated EEG, and EEG-derived indices, provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the role of EEG in clinical decision-making, as further detailed in the associated systematic review and online CoSTR 1. Overall, the article's structure, balance of evidence, and practice recommendations make it an ideal template for manuscripts examining EEG applications in nursing practice. Some of the key evidence supporting the use of EEG in predicting neurological outcomes includes:

• The study by Admiraal et al, 2019, which found that continuous or nearly continuous normal-voltage EEG without abundant periodic discharges or seizures was predictive of favorable neurological outcome 1.
• The study by Duez et al, 2019, which also supported the predictive value of continuous or nearly continuous normal-voltage EEG for favorable neurological outcomes 1.
• The consideration of the evidence by the ILCOR task force, which noted the consistency of the evidence supporting the use of EEG in predicting neurological outcomes, as well as the importance of using standardized terminology, such as that provided by the ACNS 1. These points, among others, highlight the value of the article as a guide for understanding and applying EEG in clinical practice, and for structuring manuscripts on related topics.

From the Research

Overview of EEG in Nursing Research

The use of electroencephalography (EEG) in nursing research has been explored in various studies, with a focus on its application in seizure diagnosis and patient care. Some of the key findings include:

• The implementation of a rapid-response EEG protocol in a community hospital, which resulted in significant improvements in EEG accessibility and seizure diagnosis, as well as hospital-level financial benefits 2.
• The use of EEG in the diagnosis and management of acute neonatal encephalopathy and seizures, with studies highlighting the importance of continuous EEG monitoring in detecting late seizures and evaluating their impact on neurological sequelae 3, 4.
• The role of EEG in epilepsy research, including its contributions to our understanding of the pathophysiology and functional organization of epileptic networks, and the mechanisms underlying seizures and interictal activity 5.

Key Findings and Implications

Some of the key findings and implications of these studies include:

• The importance of expanding access to EEG services, particularly in community hospitals, to improve seizure diagnosis and patient care 2.
• The potential of EEG to detect and manage seizures in neonates with acute neonatal encephalopathy, and the need for continuous monitoring to evaluate the impact of late seizures on neurological sequelae 3, 4.
• The ongoing relevance and future trajectories of EEG in epilepsy research, including its potential to uncover underexplored mechanisms operating at ultra-slow and high frequencies, and its integration with modern techniques such as optogenetics and imaging 5.

Applications and Future Directions

The applications and future directions of EEG in nursing research include:

• The development of nurse-led, rapid-response EEG protocols to improve EEG accessibility and seizure diagnosis in community hospitals 2.
• The use of EEG in the diagnosis and management of acute neonatal encephalopathy and seizures, including the evaluation of its impact on neurological sequelae 3, 4.
• The integration of EEG with modern techniques such as optogenetics and imaging to advance our understanding of epilepsy and its mechanisms, and to develop new treatments and therapies 5.