Self-reported exercise engagement and seizure control – A preliminary survey of people with epilepsy at a safety-net hospital

Benefits of exercise on general health and wellbeing are undeniable. The International League Against Epilepsy has provided some guidance into exercise and sports for epilepsy. However, people with epilepsy are typically misinformed and restricted by fear and lack of evidence about exercise benefits...

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Main Authors: Ariel Farb, Joseph Sisto, Janine Barrett, Abrar Al-Faraj, Shelby Goodson, Janice Weinberg, Jane B. Allendorfer, Myriam Abdennadher
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2024-01-01
Series:Epilepsy & Behavior Reports
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589986424000819
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author Ariel Farb
Joseph Sisto
Janine Barrett
Abrar Al-Faraj
Shelby Goodson
Janice Weinberg
Jane B. Allendorfer
Myriam Abdennadher
author_facet Ariel Farb
Joseph Sisto
Janine Barrett
Abrar Al-Faraj
Shelby Goodson
Janice Weinberg
Jane B. Allendorfer
Myriam Abdennadher
author_sort Ariel Farb
collection DOAJ
description Benefits of exercise on general health and wellbeing are undeniable. The International League Against Epilepsy has provided some guidance into exercise and sports for epilepsy. However, people with epilepsy are typically misinformed and restricted by fear and lack of evidence about exercise benefits in epilepsy. Our study seeks to investigate engagement in exercise in epilepsy at our center and identify potential barriers to physical activity. We conducted an anonymous survey at the Epilepsy Clinic using a clinically validated measure of exercise (IPAQ) at various levels: vigorous, moderate, and walking, and a questionnaire of 21 potential reasons for inactivity. Data were collected in REDCap. Statistical analysis was performed on SAS. We collected responses from 72 epilepsy participants between January and April 2024. Participants with controlled seizures were more likely to engage in moderate exercise compared to respondents with uncontrolled seizures. The top two general perceived barriers were having no one to exercise with and not liking exercise. Epilepsy-specific barriers were higher in respondents with uncontrolled seizures compared to those with controlled seizures, with the top two reasons being fear of “exercise-induced” seizures and lack of guidance on appropriate exercises. Our findings showed that there were more participants with controlled seizures who perform moderate exercise compared to those with uncontrolled seizures. Future studies are needed to evaluate whether exercise can have an impact on improving seizure control. Our study also highlights opportunities to educate health care providers, patients, and community members about exercise to facilitate engagement in exercise and improve epilepsy outcomes.
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spelling doaj-art-cbb301d144d64f1b8c8c5331b33ed2e32025-08-20T02:20:45ZengElsevierEpilepsy & Behavior Reports2589-98642024-01-012810072410.1016/j.ebr.2024.100724Self-reported exercise engagement and seizure control – A preliminary survey of people with epilepsy at a safety-net hospitalAriel Farb0Joseph Sisto1Janine Barrett2Abrar Al-Faraj3Shelby Goodson4Janice Weinberg5Jane B. Allendorfer6Myriam Abdennadher7Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USADepartment of Neurology, Boston Medical Center, USADepartment of Neurology, Boston Medical Center, USANeurology Department, Boston Medical Center, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USABoston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USABoston University School of Public Health, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USADepartments of Neurology, Neurobiology and Radiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USANeurology Department, Boston Medical Center, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA; Corresponding author at: 85 East Concord Street, Ground floor, Rm 115. Boston, MA 02467, USA.Benefits of exercise on general health and wellbeing are undeniable. The International League Against Epilepsy has provided some guidance into exercise and sports for epilepsy. However, people with epilepsy are typically misinformed and restricted by fear and lack of evidence about exercise benefits in epilepsy. Our study seeks to investigate engagement in exercise in epilepsy at our center and identify potential barriers to physical activity. We conducted an anonymous survey at the Epilepsy Clinic using a clinically validated measure of exercise (IPAQ) at various levels: vigorous, moderate, and walking, and a questionnaire of 21 potential reasons for inactivity. Data were collected in REDCap. Statistical analysis was performed on SAS. We collected responses from 72 epilepsy participants between January and April 2024. Participants with controlled seizures were more likely to engage in moderate exercise compared to respondents with uncontrolled seizures. The top two general perceived barriers were having no one to exercise with and not liking exercise. Epilepsy-specific barriers were higher in respondents with uncontrolled seizures compared to those with controlled seizures, with the top two reasons being fear of “exercise-induced” seizures and lack of guidance on appropriate exercises. Our findings showed that there were more participants with controlled seizures who perform moderate exercise compared to those with uncontrolled seizures. Future studies are needed to evaluate whether exercise can have an impact on improving seizure control. Our study also highlights opportunities to educate health care providers, patients, and community members about exercise to facilitate engagement in exercise and improve epilepsy outcomes.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589986424000819EpilepsySeizureExerciseSurveyBarriers
spellingShingle Ariel Farb
Joseph Sisto
Janine Barrett
Abrar Al-Faraj
Shelby Goodson
Janice Weinberg
Jane B. Allendorfer
Myriam Abdennadher
Self-reported exercise engagement and seizure control – A preliminary survey of people with epilepsy at a safety-net hospital
Epilepsy & Behavior Reports
Epilepsy
Seizure
Exercise
Survey
Barriers
title Self-reported exercise engagement and seizure control – A preliminary survey of people with epilepsy at a safety-net hospital
title_full Self-reported exercise engagement and seizure control – A preliminary survey of people with epilepsy at a safety-net hospital
title_fullStr Self-reported exercise engagement and seizure control – A preliminary survey of people with epilepsy at a safety-net hospital
title_full_unstemmed Self-reported exercise engagement and seizure control – A preliminary survey of people with epilepsy at a safety-net hospital
title_short Self-reported exercise engagement and seizure control – A preliminary survey of people with epilepsy at a safety-net hospital
title_sort self reported exercise engagement and seizure control a preliminary survey of people with epilepsy at a safety net hospital
topic Epilepsy
Seizure
Exercise
Survey
Barriers
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589986424000819
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