Attention impairment rehabilitation with computer-based ForamenRehab program in 8- to 12-year-old children with epilepsy

Abstract

Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder in children and is frequently accompanied with attention impairment. Attention is a key component in cognitive functioning. Using modern cognitive neurorehabilitation methods is crucial in remediation. Still, few systematically controlled rehabilitation techniques for children exist. The main aim of the study was to design and test the effectiveness of a computer-based rehabilitation method in attention impairment rehabilitation for children with epilepsy. 17 children with epilepsy aged 8-12 years received neurorehabilitation during 5 weeks (10 sessions) with the Attention module of ForamenRehab computer-program. 12 age equivalent children with epilepsy in waiting-list group participated in assessments with baseline tasks before and after the five-week-period with no active training. All patients participated in the follow-up assessment after 1.31 years. Also, 19 healthy children participated in the first assessment. At baseline level, all patients showed worse results in attention compared to healthy peers. After the intervention, study group patients showed significantly improved performance in complex attention and tracking components. Follow-up assessment revealed long-term effects of rehabilitation in study group that exceeded the normal developmental change in waiting-list group. Parents’ and children’s feedback indicated positive generalized effect of training and confirmed the positive effect of rehabilitation. In conclusion, attention rehabilitation with ForamenRehab is effective for children with epilepsy. Rehabilitation should focus on training specific components of attention and follow individual-based rehabilitation process.