A Prospective Evaluation of the Effects of an Outpatient Exercise Program on Seizure Activity and Antiepileptic Drug Concentrations in Patients with Epilepsy
Abstract number :
2.097
Submission category :
Year :
2000
Submission ID :
1556
Source :
www.aesnet.org
Presentation date :
12/2/2000 12:00:00 AM
Published date :
Dec 1, 2000, 06:00 AM
Authors :
James W McAuley, Lucretia K Long, Jennifer Heise, Timothy Kirby, Carrie J Pitt, James L Moore, Andrew L Reeves, The Ohio State Univ, Columbus, OH.
RATIONALE: The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effects of a structured outpatient exercise program on clinical outcomes in patients with epilepsy. We hypothesized that patients randomized to the exercise group would not demonstrate an increase in seizure frequency, nor a change in AED concentrations, as compared to the control group. METHODS: This prospective, randomized, parallel, controlled study spanned 12 weeks. Twenty-eight patients were randomly assigned to a supervised exercise program (EXERCISE) or instructed to continue with their current level of activity, with no planned interventions (CONTROL). All patients underwent baseline clinical, physiological, and behavioral evaluation. The EXERCISE group performed both aerobic and appropriate resistance training 3 times per week for 12 weeks. At weeks 0, 4, 8, and 12, seizure calendars were reviewed and serum AED concentrations were drawn. Physiological and behavioral data are presented elsewhere. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients completed the 12-week study. Two patients (1 from each group) were lost to follow-up, 1 patient (EXERCISE) was dropped due to non-compliance with attending the exercise program. One patient from each group was dropped due to an unrelated increase in seizure frequency after 10 weeks into the 12-week study. Of the 14 patients in the EXERCISE group completing the study, 10 were seizure-free at baseline and throughout the study; 2 had no change, 1 had an increase, and 1 had a decrease in seizure activity at week 12 compared with baseline. Of the 9 patients in the CONTROL group completing the study, 6 were seizure-free at baseline and throughout the study; 1 had no change, 1 had an increase, and 1 had a decrease in seizure activity at week 12 compared with baseline. Neither group demonstrated a clinically-significant change in measured AED concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: As a result of participating in this prospective exercise program, patients in the EXERCISE group did not demonstrate a significant increase in seizure frequency, nor a remarkable change in AED concentrations as compared to the CONTROL group.