The effect of exercise on seizure frequency

Abstract

The effect of exercise on seizure frequency is uncertain. While some investigators have reported an increase in the normal background frequency of EEGs after exercise, other investigators believe that exercise increases EEG epileptiform activity in the recovery period following exercise. We asked all patients over a two month period at our outpatient Epilepsy Clinic to complete a questionnaire regarding their exercise habits. Those who were not otherwise healthy, were non-compliant with their medications, or whose blood levels were not therapeutic were eliminated from the analysis. Utilizing the complex Chi-square method, it was determined that patients who participated in some form of exercise had significantly fewer seizures than those who did not exercise (p less than 0.05). Conclusions from this brief study indicate the need for a more comprehensive trial, including EEGs, biochemical studies, and fitness evaluations, to determine the effects of an exercise program on seizure frequency.