GROSS MOTOR AND BALANCE IMPAIRMENTS IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WITH EPILEPSY

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of age, seizu re type and anticonvulsant medication protocol on balance and motor pr oficiency in 21 subjects with epilepsy (aged seven to 17 years) who di d not have mental retardation or cerebral palsy. The Bruininks-Oserets ky balance subtest and a force platform with computer-controlled feedb ack of the center of force were used to evaluate balance and goal-orie nted motion during static and dynamic motor tasks. These motor profici ency and balance assessments may be useful to 'unmask' deficits in mot or performance associated with epilepsy, assist the evaluation of anti convulsant side-effects, and serve as one guide for developing a compr ehensive rehabilitation program.