Study Reveals Scope of Epilepsy Misinformation on Social Media

An analysis of TikTok videos revealed that content with misinformation about epilepsy treatment draws substantially more engagement than evidence-based content on the platform. The findings, presented at the 2025 American Epilepsy Society Annual Meeting, highlight a concerning barrier to effective patient education and the urgent need for medical professionals to engage on digital platforms to combat misinformation.

Researchers examined 200 TikTok videos identified through searches for "epilepsy treatment" and "seizure treatment." Videos discussing psychogenic non-epileptic spells were included in the analysis when described interchangeably with epileptic seizures. Two independent reviewers assessed each video on a 6-point scale, from “true” to “not accurate and potentially harmful.”

Claims that went beyond common neurologic knowledge were verified using Open Evidence to confirm peer-reviewed support. The analysis also categorized presenter credentials into 10 categories, including neurology physicians, non-neurology physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, chiropractors, nutritionists, and unspecified influencers. The number of views and active subscribers were recorded for each video.

Key findings from the analysis include:

• Videos classified as mostly false, not accurate, or not accurate and potentially harmful received 355,723 of 490,214 total views (73%).
• Alternative medicine practitioners and unspecified influencers were responsible for 58.7% (91/155) of these false videos.
• 26 of 27 videos created by physicians were categorized as true or mostly true, with only 1 classified as not accurate.

“This study underscores the troubling reality that people looking for help with their health often encounter information online that is not only inaccurate but potentially dangerous,” said Howard P. Goodkin, MD, PhD, president of the American Epilepsy Society. “Patients and families need advice they can trust, especially when navigating a complex condition like epilepsy.”

Source: Dedic E, Chorny L, Nordli D, et al. American Epilepsy Society. Clickbait or truth? Analyzing the relationship between misinformation and engagement on TikTok regarding epilepsy treatment. Presented at: American Epilepsy Society Annual Meeting; December 5–9, 2025; Atlanta, GA.