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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2021 Apr:117:107904.
doi: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2021.107904. Epub 2021 Mar 16.

Effects of an exercise program on health of people with epilepsy: A randomized clinical trial

César Augusto Häfele  1 , Airton José Rombaldi  2 , Natan Feter  3 , Vítor Häfele  2 , Bianca Lamas Gervini  4 , Marlos Rodrigues Domingues  2 , Marcelo Cozzensa da Silva  2
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Effects of an exercise program on health of people with epilepsy: A randomized clinical trial

César Augusto Häfele et al. Epilepsy Behav. 2021 Apr.

Abstract

To evaluate the effects of an exercise program on the health of people with epilepsy (PWE) and seizure frequency. A randomized clinical trial was carried out in Pelotas/Brazil. Recruitment was conducted through social media, in local press, and Public Health System facilities. The intervention program was performed at the gym of the Physical Education School/Federal University of Pelotas. A total of 21 people, aged 18-60 years, diagnosed with epilepsy and who were not engaged in systematic physical exercise in the last three months were divided into two groups: (1) exercise (EG) - 12 weeks of a structured physical exercise program; (2) control (CG) - no exercise and maintenance of usual activities. The allocation rate 1:1 was used. The exercise program consisted of two 60-min weekly sessions including warm-up (5-min), aerobic training (15-25 min at 14-17 on Borg scale), resistance training (2-3 sets, 10-15 repetitions), and stretching. Sociodemographic, clinical and health variables (frequency and number of seizures, quality of life, depression, anxiety, and side effects), anthropometrics (weight, height, hip and waist circumferences), cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max), and strength (dynamometry) were measured at baseline and after the 12-week intervention. Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) and Bonferroni posthoc tests were used for the comparison between moments and groups. Eleven participants were randomized to EG and 10 to CG. One EG participant did not complete the study. There was a reduction in frequency of epileptic seizures during the 3-month intervention period in EG (p = 0.010) with no improvement in CG. Improvement in quality of life (p = 0.004), stress levels (p = 0.017) and physical fitness (p = 0.017) were also observed in the EG compared to CG. A structured physical exercise program improved overall health of PWE and decreased seizure frequency.

Keywords: Epilepsy; Exercise; Randomized controlled trial; Seizure.

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