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Evaluation of functional mobility, balance, and executive functions in children with epilepsy
Bercem Sinanoglu1, Filiz Ozdemir2
1Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Institute of Health Sciences, Inonu University, Malatya, Turkey.
Insights
Children with epilepsy show impaired functional mobility and executive functions compared to healthy peers. These motor skills and executive functions are significantly related in children with epilepsy, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Developmental Psychology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Motor skills and executive functions are known to be interrelated in typically developing children.
- Epilepsy in childhood can potentially impact various neurodevelopmental aspects.
- Understanding these impacts is crucial for comprehensive care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate functional mobility, balance, and executive functions in children with epilepsy.
- To determine the relationship between these functions in children diagnosed with epilepsy.
- To compare these functions between children with epilepsy and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 21 children with epilepsy (no comorbidities) and 21 age/sex-matched healthy controls.
- Functional mobility assessed using the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) and Stair Climb Test (SCT).
- Balance evaluated with the Pediatric Berg Balance Scale (PBSS); executive functions assessed via the Behavior Evaluation Inventory for Executive Functions Parent Form (BRIEF-P).
Main Results:
- Children with epilepsy demonstrated significantly poorer functional mobility and executive functions compared to healthy children (p < 0.05).
- No significant differences in balance parameters were observed between the groups (p > 0.05).
- A significant relationship was found between executive functions and functional mobility in children with epilepsy (R² values of 0.718 for TUG and 0.725 for SCT).
Conclusions:
- Epilepsy negatively affects functional mobility and executive functions in children, even without comorbidities.
- Early identification of motor and executive function deficits is vital for appropriate healthcare interventions.
- Increased awareness among healthcare professionals and families is needed to promote physical activity in children with epilepsy.
Objective:
It is known that motor skills and executive functions are interrelated in healthy children. The study aims to evaluate the functional mobility, balance and executive functions in children who are diagnosed with epilepsy and to determine whether they are related to each other.
Methods:
The study included 21 children who were diagnosed with epilepsy and have no additional comorbidities and 21 healthy children who had similar age and sex to those diagnosed with epilepsy. Their demographic data were collected using a descriptive information form. In addition, the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) and the Stair Climb Test (SCT) were used to evaluate their functional mobility, the Pediatric Berg Balance Scale (PBSS) to evaluate their balance, and the Behavior Evaluation Inventory for Executive Functions Parent Form (BRIEF-P) to evaluate their executive functions.
Results:
Our study found a statistically significant difference between the children with epilepsy and their healthy peers in terms of functional mobility and executive functions (p < 0.05). However, there was no statistically significant difference between them in terms of balance parameters (p > 0.05). In addition, a statistically significant difference was found between the executive functions and functional mobility in children with epilepsy (p < 0.05). The coefficient of determinations (R2) indicating how differences in T and SCT scores explained by executive function domains were found as 0.718 and 0.725, respectively.
Conclusions:
Epilepsy can negatively affect several aspects of functional mobility and executive functions in childhood. According to the results of our study, it is important to recognize the motor skills and executive functions problems of children with epilepsy who do not have additional comorbidities, and to direct them to appropriate healthcare programs. Our results support the need to raise awareness in both health professionals and families to encourage children with epilepsy to be more active.
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