Evaluation of functional mobility, balance, and executive functions in children with epilepsy.

OBJECTIVE: It is known that motor skills and executive functions are interrelated in healthy children. The study aims to evaluate the functional mobility, balance and executive functions in children who are diagnosed with epilepsy and to determine whether they are related to each other. METHODS: The study included 21 children who were diagnosed with epilepsy and have no additional comorbidities and 21 healthy children who had similar age and sex to those diagnosed with epilepsy. Their demographic data were collected using a descriptive information form. In addition, the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) and the Stair Climb Test (SCT) were used to evaluate their functional mobility, the Pediatric Berg Balance Scale (PBSS) to evaluate their balance, and the Behavior Evaluation Inventory for Executive Functions Parent Form (BRIEF-P) to evaluate their executive functions. RESULTS: Our study found a statistically significant difference between the children with epilepsy and their healthy peers in terms of functional mobility and executive functions (p < 0.05). However, there was no statistically significant difference between them in terms of balance parameters (p > 0.05). In addition, a statistically significant difference was found between the executive functions and functional mobility in children with epilepsy (p < 0.05). The coefficient of determinations (R2) indicating how differences in T and SCT scores explained by executive function domains were found as 0.718 and 0.725, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Epilepsy can negatively affect several aspects of functional mobility and executive functions in childhood. According to the results of our study, it is important to recognize the motor skills and executive functions problems of children with epilepsy who do not have additional comorbidities, and to direct them to appropriate healthcare programs. Our results support the need to raise awareness in both health professionals and families to encourage children with epilepsy to be more active.

The role of physical activity on mental health and quality of life during COVID-19 outbreak: A cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has placed restrictions on people's physical activities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physical activity levels of individuals and assess the effects of physical activity on quality of life, depression and anxiety levels during the COVID-19 outbreak. METHODS: This cross-sectional study were included 2301 participants aged 20-75 years. The data were collected through the Google Forms web survey platform by the virtual snowball sampling method. In the multivariate analysis, the independent predictors were analyzed using possible factors identified in previous analyses by multinomial logistic regression analysis. Hosmer-Lemeshow and Omnibus tests were used to evaluate the logistic regression model and coefficients. RESULTS: The mean weekly energy consumption of the participants was 875±1588 MET-min, and only 6.9% were physically active enough to maintain their health. There was a weak positive relationship between physical activity levels and quality of life, while there was a weak negative relationship between physical activity levels, depression and anxiety (p<0.05). In the multinomial logistic regression model established for comparison of physically active and inactive participants, general health status and physical health status variables were statistically significant (p<0.05). However, relationships between psychological status, social relationships and environment scores, Beck Depression and Beck Anxiety Inventory scores were not statistically significant (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Results showed that physical activity programs should be included in guidelines as an integrative approach to pandemic management. During COVID-19 outbreak, community-based rehabilitation programs are needed, and these programs should be carried out in cooperation with community stakeholders.