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Completed

NCT Number: NCT03338478

Balance and Anti-Epileptic Drugs

Patients with epilepsy exercise less than the general population. A barrier to exercise may be the effect of antiepileptic drugs on balance and reaction time. This proposal endeavors to study the effect of two common antiepileptic drugs (levetiracetam and lamotrigine) on balance and reaction time using a Wii balance board and reaction time test. This will be tested at descending doses in an epilepsy monitoring unit. Drug levels will be monitored, as well as center of pressure, and reaction time.

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Key information

Conditions

Epilepsy Brain Diseases Central Nervous System Diseases Nervous System Diseases

Age range

16 year–55 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center

Lebanon, New Hampshire, 03756, United States

About this study

Patients with epilepsy (PWE) exercise less compared to the general population. One barrier to participation in exercise is the subtle effect of anti epileptic drugs (AEDs) on balance and reaction time. Information on these measures in PWE is scarce, although previous data does suggest a detrimental effect. The objective of this trial is to study balance and reaction time in patients taking common AEDs. The investigators plan to study the effect of levetiracetam and lamotrigine on balance and reaction time. By studying patients in the epilepsy monitoring unit who are undergoing medication taper and withdrawal, the investigators can observe the effects of varying doses of these drugs within a single subject and also compare these data points to age matched controls. A Wii balance board (WBB) will be used to measure balance. It is hypothesized that levetiracetam and lamotrigine will elicit a dose-dependent, detrimental effect on balance and reaction time.

Patients admitted to the epilepsy monitoring unit who are currently taking levetiracetam or lamotrigine either in monotherapy will be recruited for the study. The target enrollment is 20 PWE, and 20 healthy controls.

For the PWE in the study, baseline AED blood levels will be obtained at baseline. The WBB has cells which detect load shifts in the body. Participants will stand on the WBB and remain as steady as possible. First on both feet with eyes open for 30 seconds, and then on both feet with eyes closed for 30 seconds, then on one foot with eyes open for 10 seconds, and then on one foot with eyes closed for 10 seconds. Each task will have 3 trials, with adequate break between.

Visit 2 will occur following weaning of AEDs. The investigators will measure center of pressure and reaction time testing similar to visit one. Blood AED levels will be checked at three half lives of the medication. This will be taken within 8 hours of visit 2.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Focal or generalized epilepsy
  • On a stable dose of AEDs defined by no medication changes within the last month.
  • On levetiracetam or lamotrigine monotherapy

Exclusion criteria

  • Inability to stand independently for 30 seconds
  • Peripheral neuropathy
  • History of stroke or previous brain surgery
  • Seizure within last 24 hours

Treatment and study plan

Wii Balance Board

Diagnostic Test

Participants will stand on the Wii Balance Board with eyes open, eyes closed, one two feet, and then standing on one leg at each study visit.

Primary outcomes

  1. Balance

    Time frame: Up to six weeks.

    Balance measured by Wii Balance Board (WBB). The WBB has cells which detect load shifts in the body. Participants stand on both feet with eyes open; on both feet with eyes closed; on one foot with eyes open; and on one foot with eyes closed. Balancia software will be used to analyze the information.

  2. Reaction Time

    Time frame: Up to six weeks.

    Participants will use dominant hand on mouse to click as quickly as possible in response to a prompt on a computer screen. Five trials will be conducted at each visit.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Erik J. Kobylarz

Other

Collaborators

  • American Epilepsy Society

Registry information

Official study title

Effect of Antiepileptic Drugs on Balance and Reaction Time

Acronym: AEDs

Important dates

Study start
2017
Primary completion
2018
Study completion
2018
First posted
Nov 9, 2017
Registry last updated
Aug 6, 2018

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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