Purpose

The objective of this study was to examine the efficacy of Interactive Metronome (IM) training in children with speech disorders and patients with epileptiform activity (EA) on EEG with and without seizures.

METHODS:

Sixty for patients at the age 6-11 years who had been diagnosed with high cognitive function deficit, in conjunction with motor dysphasia (n=27), stuttering (n=28), and EA without seizures (11) and with seizures (8) took 20 one-hour training sessions of IM in 9.5 weeks. Each child was assessed before and after the treatment with the IM training protocol and a parent questionnaire. All patients with seizures were treated by valproats in average dose 24 mg/kg.

RESULT

There were statistically significant differences (<0.05) in the audio-motor coordination hands motor dysphasia patients. Significant differences were observed (<0.05) in the audio-motor coordination hands and legs, reciprocal coordination and spatial functions for children with stuttering and EA with and without seizures. As compared between groups of patients the best results were demonstrated by children with EA. Parents noted improvement behavior, attention, rate of speech and skills. IM training didn’t increase seizures and EA, valproats were not impact on cognitive function.

CONCLUSION

IM training can be successfully used for cognitive rehabilitation and skills for children with cognitive dysfunction, in conjunction with speech disorders, EA on EEG without seizures and with different form epilepsy.