215 research outputs found
Sabatino, A. C., Fimiani, F., Operto, F. F., Pastorino, G. M., Petruccelli, F., Saladino, V., ... & Coppola, G. (2021). THERAPEUTIC FILMMAKING, STRATEGIC PSYCHOTHERAPY AND AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER: AN INTEGRATED APPROACH. Journal of Psychological and Educational Research, 29(2), 56-89.
No full textMonitoring and managing depression in adolescents with epilepsy: Current perspectives
No full textEpilepsy is associated with a significantly increased risk of developing depressive disorder during adolescence. On the other hand, depression is highly detected in adolescents with epilepsy. These findings highlight the importance of early identification and proper management of comorbid depression in adolescent age. The prevalence of depressive disorders in adolescents with epilepsy ranges between 8 and 35% and is higher than the general population of the same age. The relationship between epilepsy and depression is complex and potentially bidirectional, thereby suggesting a common underlying pathophysiology. Furthermore, failure to detect and treat depressive disorder mostly in adolescence could lead to several negative implications such as an increased risk of suicidal ideation or behavior and poor quality of life. A number of methods are available to detect depressive disorder, such as psychiatric or psychological assessments, structured or semi-structured interviews, and self-report screening tools. Thus, physicians should be able to regularly screen depressive symptoms in youths with epilepsy. Recently, the NDDI-E-Y inventory has been developed from the adult NDDI-E, and has been validated in many countries. NDDI-E-Y has showed reliable validity, being a brief screening tool (12 items) that can be easily included in routine epilepsy care. The first step to be considered for the management of depressive disorder in adolescents with epilepsy is to consider potential reversible causes of anxiety and depression (i.e., a new AEDs; seizure control). Secondly, great attention has to be given to the education of the child/adolescent and his/her family, trying to improve knowledge about epilepsy as well as to decrease parental stress and improving the child's sense of competence. Pharmacological treatment should also be considered in adolescents diagnosed with depression
Nao: a promising tool for Pediatric Hospitals
No full textSome cognitive disabilities are characterized by specific social, relational, and emotional behaviors. In order to
study and encourage interaction between children with relational disorders, such as autistic spectrum disorders, the use of humanoid robots seems promising. Indeed, compared to the variability of the possible responses of a human interlocutor, the robot can be programmed to adapt to the needs of the child, creating relational situations that are predictable and emotionally reassuring. However, most setups involving the use of a humanoid robot for sessions with children do not include methods to characterize the children’s interaction and behavior. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the use of NAO to improve the quality of hospitalization of children in the Department of Pediatric Neurology and Muscle Diseases, but also its effectiveness for the development and recovery of cognitive
skills. The positive and encouraging results have provided a first proof of concept that the system can used in a clinical setting. In conclusion, Nao catalyzed the attention of the majority of children that remained high during all of the session, even in children whose clinical profile is characterized by a severe attention deficit
Memory performances and personality traits in mothers of children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome
No full textBackground: Chronic diseases in pediatric age have been identified as stressful risk factors for parents. Studies on caregivers have documented the impact of chronic parenting stress on emotion and cognition.Aim: To investigate the differences between a group of mothers of children affected by obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) for at least 4 years and a group of mothers of typically developing children (TDC) in relation to parental stress, self-esteem, locus of control, and memory performances.Methods: A group of 86 mothers (mean age 35.6 +/- 4.9, ranged between 32 and 41 years) of children with OSAS diagnosis, and a group of 52 mothers of TDC (mean age 35.9 +/- 4.2, ranged between 32 and 41 years) participated in the study. All participants were administered stress level, global self-esteem, internal/external locus of control scales, and memory assessment.Results: Mothers of OSAS children, compared to mothers of TDC, had a significantly higher level of stress, lower self-esteem, more external locus of control and poorer memory performance.Conclusions: The child respiratory disease, with its sudden and unpredictable features, appeared as a significant source of stress for the mother. Such stress condition may have an impact on mothers' personality traits (self-esteem, locus of control) and on their memory performances. The data have suggested a need for psychological support programs for mothers to better manage stress associated with children's respiratory disease
Association between feeding/mealtime behavior problems and internalizing/externalizing problems in autism spectrum disorder, other neurodevelopmental disorders and typically developing children
No full textBackground: The aim of current study was to examine the nature and prevalence of feeding problems and mealtime behavior problems in children with ASD comparing to children with other neurodevelopmental disorders (NNDs) and TD children. We also investigated the impact of intelligence quotient (IQ) and/or emotional and behavioral problems on feeding and mealtime behavior problems.
Methods: Participants completed the following tests: Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ), Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), Brief Autism Mealtime Behavior Inventory (BAMBI) and Behavioral Pediatric Feeding Assessment Scale (BPFAS).
Results: Children with ASD showed more feeding and mealtime behavior problems including food refusal (p<.001, p<.001) and limited variety of foods (p=.014; p=.018) compared with NDDs and TD children. ASD group showed more problems in mealtime behavior (p=.034) and parent behaviors (p=.028) compared to TD group. Internalizing (p=.003) and externalizing (p=.008) problems were positively related to parent frustration during mealtime in ASD group.
Conclusions: These results suggest that routine screening for feeding and mealtime behavior problems among children with ASD is necessary to prevent dietary inadequacies that may be associated with eating habits.BACKGROUND: The aim of current study was to examine the nature and prevalence of feeding problems and mealtime behavior problems in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) comparing to children with other neurodevelopmental disorders (NNDs) and TDchildren. We also investigated the impact of intelligence quotient (IQ) and/or emotional and behavioral problems on feeding and mealtime behavior problems. METHODS: Participants completed the following tests: Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ), Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), Brief Autism Mealtime Behavior Inventory (BAMBI) and Behavioral Pediatric Feeding Assessment Scale (BPFAS). RESULTS: Children with ASDshowed more feeding and mealtime behavior problems including food refusal (P<0.001, P<0.001) and limited variety of foods (P=0.014; P=0.018) compared with NDDs and TDchildren. ASDgroup showed more problems in mealtime behavior (P=0.034) and parent behaviors (P=0.028) compared to TDgroup. Internalizing (P=0.003) and externalizing (P=0.008) problems were positively related to parent frustration during mealtime in ASDgroup. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that routine screening for feeding and mealtime behavior problems among children with ASDis necessary to prevent dietary inadequacies that may be associated with eating habits
Bone mineral density in a population of children and adolescents with cerebral palsy and mental retardation with or without epilepsy.
No full textPurpose: The present study aimed to assess bone mineral density (BMD) in a population of children
and adolescents with cerebral palsy and mental retardation with or without epilepsy.
Methods: One hundred and thirteen patients (63 male and 50 female) were recruited for evaluation.
Patients were divided in three groups: 40 patients (group 1) were affected by cerebral palsy and
mental retardation, 47 (group 2) by cerebral palsy, mental retardation and epilepsy, and 26 (group 3)
by epilepsy. The control group consisted of 63 healthy children and adolescents.
Patients underwent a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry /DEXA) scan of the lumbar spine (L1-L4)
and z-score was calculated for each patient; t-score was considered for patients 18 years of age and
older.
Key-findings: Abnormal BMD was found in 17 patients (42.5%) in group 1, in 33 (70.2%) in group
2, and in 3 (11.5%) in group 3. In group 1 and 2, tetraparesis and severe/profound mental
retardation were related to a significantly abnormal BMD (p= 0.003); notably, severe mental
retardation was even more significant in group 1 (p= 0.0003). The multivariate analysis of
independent factors on BMD (z-score) revealed a significant correlation between BMD (z-score)
and age (p=0.04), body mass index (BMI) (p=0.002), and severe/profound mental retardation
(p=0.03).
Significance: a significantly lower BMD z score value was found in patients with cerebral palsy,
mental retardation and epilepsy compared with those without epilepsy. The epileptic disorder
appears to be an aggravating factor on bone health when comorbid with cerebral palsy and mental
retardation. These findings are determined by many factors, but long term use of AEDs seems
relevant
Efficacy and tolerability of levetiracetam during 1-year follow-up in children, adolescents, and young adults with refractory epilepsy
No full textTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of levetiracetam (LEV) in refractory crypto/symptomatic, partial or generalised
epilepsy in children, adolescents and young adults. Methods:We performed a prospective open label add-on study in 99 patients
(age 12 months to 32 years, mean 14 years) with partial or generalised, crypto/symtpomatic seizures. Levetiracetam was added to
no more than two baseline AEDs and the efficacy was rated according to seizure type and frequency. Results: LEV was initiated
at the starting dose of 10 mg/kg/day with 5-day increments up to 50 mg/kg/day, unless it was not tolerated. Concomitant therapy
was generally not modified throughout the study. After a mean follow-up period of 6.7 months (range 3 weeks to 29 months),
11 patients (11.1%) were free of seizures (cryptogenic partial epilepsy, 5; symptomatic partial epilepsy, 6). A more than 75%
seizure decrease was found in 14 patients (14.1%) and >50% in 8 (8.1%). Seizures were unchanged in 38 (38.4%), and worsened
in 23 (23.2%). Mild and transient adverse side effects were found in 17 patients (17.2%), mostly represented by irritability and
drowsiness. Conclusion: LEV appears to be well tolerated in children and adolescents with severe epilepsy and seems to be
a broad spectrum AED, though in our experience, it was more effective against partial seizures with or without secondarily
generalisation. LEV efficacy in other epilepsy syndrome should be evaluated further in homogeneous, more selected patients
Ketogenic diet for the treatment of catastrophic epileptic encefalopathies in childhood.
No full textTopiramate in children and adolescents with epilepsy and mental retardation: a prospective study on behavior and cognitive effects
No full textThe aim of the present study was to assess the behavioral and cognitive effects following treatment with topiramate in children and
adolescents with epilepsy with mild to profound mental retardation. The study group comprised 29 children, 16 males and 13 females,
aged 3 to 19 years, affected by partial (4) and generalized (25) crypto/symptomatic epilepsy and mental retardation (7 mild, 5 moderate,
15 severe, 2 profound), who were administered topiramate (TPM) as add-on therapy to their baseline antiepileptic treatment. At baseline,
3 months, 6 months, and 12 months, parents or caregivers of each patient were administered a questionnaire based on the Holmfrid
Quality of Life Inventory. After a 3-month follow-up, the add-on topiramate caused overall mild to moderate cognitive/behavioral worsening
in about 70% of children and adolescents with mental retardation and epilepsy. After 6 and 12 months of follow-up, global worsening
persisted in 31 and 20.1% of cases, respectively. In conclusion, this trial confirms that TPM can have significant adverse cognitive
and behavioral side effects, even in mentally disabled children and adolescents
Parental stress in pediatric epilepsy after therapy withdrawal
No full textObjective: The objective of the study was to explore stress levels in the parents of children with idiopathic epilepsy at different time points of the disease, specifically, at the time of diagnosis, during follow-up, and 1 and 2 years after discontinuation of antiepileptic drugs.Methods: Our study included 50 patients between 5 and 14 years of age, who were diagnosed with childhood absence epilepsy or idiopathic focal epilepsy with Rolandic paroxysms. Parents of the participants independently completed the Parenting Stress Index-Short Form at the time of initial diagnosis, and when the children started antiepileptic drugs (Time 0), and at 1 year (Time 1) and 2 years (lime 2) after discontinuation of therapy.Results: At Time 0, parental stress levels were increased, both in mothers and fathers, with average scores in the "clinical range" of the parental distress (PD), dysfunctional parent-child interaction (P-CDI), and total stress (TS) scales. At Time 1, the scores on these scales remained high. At Time 2, a mild reduction in the stress scores was observed in both parents, despite values remaining in the "clinical range" for all the scales.Conclusions: Results suggested that parents of children with epilepsy were not reassured about the child's condition, even after clinical improvement. Parental stress levels remained higher than expected, even 2 years after the discontinuation of therapy and freedom from seizures. This was probably due to concerns with the reappearance of new seizures or a more severe type of epilepsy with the discontinuation of drug(s), and feelings of inadequacy with their parental role(s). (C) 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved
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