Cognitive, perceptual, gross motor dysfunction and academic performance in childhood epilepsy: A prospective study

Epilepsy is one of the common chronic neurological disorders in childhood. It is frequently associated with behavioral, attentional, perceptual, psychiatric problems and learning disabilities. Antiepileptic drugs have side effects mainly impaired cognition. Neuropsychological impairments also interfere with normal cognition and academic achievements. Significant dysfunction in gross as well as fine motor function exist which overall affects physical, psychological health and the social relationship.

1: To assess and compare cognition, visual and spatial perception, visuo-motor organization and gross motor function i.e. balance between children with epilepsy of age group 6–12 years and age matched normal children. 2: To correlate gross motor function i.e. balance with visual and spatial perception in children with epilepsy and age matched normal children. 3. To understand academic performance in childhood epilepsy based on cognitive dysfunction.

Prospective, parallel design study

Study consisted of total 60 children of age group 6–12 years. Group I (Control group) – Normal school going children (Healthy controls) n=30 and group II (Experimental group) -Children diagnosed with epilepsy and under medications n=30.

Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment Scale (LOTCA), Bruninkis Osertsky Test of Motor Proficiency (BOMPT)

There were statistically significant differences (p<0.00001) in cognition, perception, visuo-motor organization and balance between children with epilepsy and the age matched normal children. There is a positive correlation between perception and gross motor dysfunctions i.e. balance.

Cognitive, visuo-motor, perceptual dysfunction along with gross motor dysfunction exist in children with epilepsy. Cognitive dysfunction interferes with school performance and academic achievements in children with epilepsy whereas perceptual dysfunction interferes with balance which may lead to difficulty in participating in sports and recreational activities.