The effect of rehabilitation treatment on the electroencephalography results and the course of epilepsy in children with cerebral palsy

Abstract

Introduction. Cerebral palsy is often combined with epilepsy and epileptiform electroencephalographic (EEG) activity. Currently, the question of how rehabilitation with cerebral palsy is dangerous in relation to the provocation of epileptic seizures is relevant. Objective: to study the effect of cerebral palsy rehabilitation on epilepsy in a standard rehabilitation center. Material and methods. We examined 80 children with various forms of cerebral palsy and epileptiform EEG activity. The patients were divided into two groups: children of Group 1 never had epileptic seizures, children of Group 2 had a history of epileptic seizures of more than 6 months ago. The follow-up was 12 months during which children underwent EEG before and after rehabilitation courses. Depending on the risks associated with provoking epileptic seizures, patients were prescribed rehabilitation procedures of various intensities: Vojta kinesiotherapy, massage, physiotherapeutic treatment in the form of transcranial micropolarization and paraffin therapy. Results. During the study, epileptic seizures developed in 5 patients (12.5%) from Group 1 and in 7 children (17.5%) from Group 2. In all cases, rare focal seizures were recorded (1–2 times a year). All patients with seizures during our study had a history of seizures under the age of 1 year. The onset of seizures was quickly stopped by the basic antiepileptic drugs in monotherapy. Epileptic seizures developed in children with moderate to severe cerebral palsy on GMFCS (Gross Motor Function Classification System) and a history of neonatal seizures. We attributed both of these to risk factors. In children with cerebral palsy and epilepsy in remission of 6 months or more, massage and Vojta therapy did not provoke epileptic seizures. The effect of epileptiform activity on the severity of motor status and on cognitive functions in cerebral palsy has not been established in our study. Conclusion. According to our data, rehabilitation measures do not have a significant impact on the risk of developing epilepsy.

Keywords

• cerebral palsy
• epilepsy
• epileptiform activity
• electroencephalography
• rehabilitation
• exercise therapy
• vojta therapy
• micropolarization
• paraffin baths