Validation of a screening tool for attention and executive functions (EpiTrack Junior®) in children and adolescents with absence epilepsy

- EpiTrack Junior is a screening tool for attention and executive functions in children.
- Our prospective study aims to validate this tool in a homogeneous group of epilepsy.
- Children with absence epilepsy show increased impairment in EpiTrack Junior.
- Sensitivity and specificity, as well as concurrent and discriminant validity were demonstrated.
- We recommend EpiTrack Junior as a sensitive and time efficient screening tool.

ObjectiveOur prospective study aimed at the validation of EpiTrack Junior, a neuropsychological screening tool for attention and executive functions in children with epilepsy.MethodsTwenty-two children with absence epilepsy aged 8-17 years underwent comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation including EpiTrack Junior and measures of intelligence, verbal and nonverbal memory, word fluency and visuoconstructive organization. Concurrent and discriminant validity of EpiTrack Junior subtests and total score as well as sensitivity and specificity of the total score were analyzed.ResultsEpiTrack Junior total score was impaired in 59% of participants. Concurrent validity was demonstrated in 4/6 subtests and for the total score. Discriminant validity was shown with respect to verbal and nonverbal long-term memory. Sensitivity was higher than specificity and highest for the “working memory index”.ConclusionEpiTrack Junior is recommended as a sensitive and time-efficient screening tool for attention and executive functions in children with epilepsy. Impaired results should be followed up with detailed evaluation including information from the parents and school as well as counseling where indicated.