Effect of maze solving on attention in children with epilepsy: A pre - post research

In our study, we identified attention deficits in children with epilepsy of various forms. Baseline assessments across different age groups revealed varying degrees of executive function impairment, from mild to severe. Notably, findings from Coding, CCTT-1, CCTT-2 tests hints towards positive impact of persistent one-month engagement in maze-solving activities. However, the sample size of our study may limit the effect of the conclusions from this study.. Our findings also suggest that epilepsy itself can influence a child's attention, as indicated by correlations with epilepsy-related factors and attention assessment tool scores. This study introduces a novel approach using maze-solving to enhance children's attention. Children with epilepsy often face cognitive challenges, including attention deficits. Brain disorders, such as epilepsy, inherently elevate the risk of cognitive impairments. This study explores the effectiveness of persistent maze-solving as an accessible intervention to enhance attention in this population. Ethical approval and informed consent were obtained. 37 children aged 8–12 years were assessed using the Coding test, Children's Color Trail Test (CCTT-1 and CCTT-2), and variables influencing attention. A one-month maze-solving intervention was administered under parental supervision. Baseline assessment revealed varying levels of attention impairment in children with epilepsy. Negative and positive correlations were found between attention and factors such as screen time and age at the first seizure episode respectively. The maze-solving intervention yielded a significant improvement in Coding test scores (p<0.01). Although CCTT-1 and CCTT-2 scores also improved, statistical significance was not achieved. Children with epilepsy frequently experience attention deficits, which can be influenced by factors other than the episode of seizure itself. Persistent maze-solving had a positive impact on attention, providing a feasible at-home intervention for these children. Further research with larger sample sizes and extended intervention durations is warranted to validate and expand upon these findings.