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The Effect of Early-Life Seizures on Cognitive and Motor Development: A Case Series
Sandra Jensen-Willett1, Andrea Cunha, Michele A Lobo
1Department of Physical Therapy (Dr Willett), Munroe-Meyer Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska; Department of Physical Therapy (Drs Cunha and Lobo), Biomechanics and Movement Science Program, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware; Department of Physical Therapy (Dr Harbourne), Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy (Dr Dusing), University of Southern California, Los Angeles CA; Department of Rehabilitation Medicine (Drs Westcott-McCoy and Hsu), University of Washington, Seattle, Washington; Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families and Schools (Drs Koziol and Bovaird), University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska; College of Human Science and Education (Dr Marcinowski), Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Department of Psychological Science (Dr Babik), Boise State University, Boise, Idaho; Department of Physical Therapy (Dr An), Kaya University, Gimhae-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, Republic of Korea.
Purpose:
This case series documents developmental changes over time and in response to a novel intervention, Sitting Together and Reaching to Play (START-Play), in children with early-life seizures.
Methods:
Thirteen children with early-life seizures were included from a subset of participants in the START-Play multisite, randomized controlled trial. Seven received 3 months of twice weekly START-Play intervention; 6 continued with usual care early intervention. Bayley Scales of Infant Development-III (Cognitive Composite), Gross Motor Function Measure-66 Item Set, Assessment of Problem-Solving in Play, and reaching assessments were administered at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months postbaseline. Change scores are reported at 3 and 12 months postbaseline.
Results:
Over time, plateau or decline was noted in standardized cognition measures; motor development improved or was stable. Children receiving START-Play showed positive trends in problem-solving (71.4%) and reaching behaviors (57.2%).
Conclusions:
Interventions such as START-Play that combine motor and cognitive constructs may benefit children with early-life seizures.
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