Gross motor and balance impairments in children and adolescents with epilepsy

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of age, seizure type and anticonvulsant medication protocol on balance and motor proficiency in 21 subjects with epilepsy (aged seven to 17 years) who did not have mental retardation or cerebral palsy. The Bruininks-Oseretsky balance subtest and a force platform with computer-controlled feedback of the center of force were used to evaluate balance and goal-oriented motion during static and dynamic motor tasks. These motor proficiency and balance assessments may be useful to 'unmask' deficits in motor performance associated with epilepsy, assist the evaluation of anticonvulsant side-effects, and serve as one guide for developing a comprehensive rehabilitation program.