Abstracts

Rationale: Epilepsy is a chronic neurological condition, often with several social limitations. For many patients, there are restrictions in common leisure activities such as exercising. Whereas previous studies have investigated exercise behaviors amongst epilepsy populations, no direct comparison has been made with trends in the general population. Methods: We compared exercise trends from our Epilepsy Clinic population with those of the population in Northwest Ohio using a paper-and-pencil questionnaire. Data was manually entered into a Microsoft Excel (Microsoft Office 2010) spreadsheet. Statistical analysis was completed using Chi-square, Fisher's Exact and Student's t-tests.Results: Ninety-five patients with epilepsy were compared to 97 age and sex matched controls from the general population with no history of seizures. Overall, controls had higher education levels, higher income levels, were more likely to work full time, drove, lived on their own and had private insurance compared to patients with epilepsy. Medical history was similar with the exception of alcohol use (19% controls, 8% epilepsy patients; p-value = 0.04) and family history of epilepsy (29% epilepsy patients, 4% controls; p-value < 0.001). Forty-two percent of the patients in the epilepsy group had epilepsy for over 20 years; seizures occurred most often when the patient was awake (66%); seizures were of unknown cause in 70% and occurred less than once per month in most (56%). Nearly all patients (99%) took at least one anti-seizure medication. The most common medications were lamotrigine (59%) and levetiracetam (31%). Significantly more controls exercised compared to patients with epilepsy (77% vs. 61%, respectively; p-value = 0.02), but more controls sited lack of motivation as a barrier than patients with epilepsy (52% vs. 35%; p-value = 0.02). Barriers to exercise for patients with epilepsy included inability to drive (7%) and lack of transportation (5%) whereas these were not barriers for controls (0%; p-values = 0.007 and 0.03 respectively). Patients with epilepsy exercised less in an outside/fitness club setting compared to controls (41% vs. 64%; p-value = 0.01). Running and jogging was more common among controls (51% vs. 31%; p-value = 0.02). Epilepsy patients were more likely to use exercise for stress relief compared to controls (62% vs. 41%; p-value = 0.02), but controls were more likely to be motivated to exercise to improve their physical appearance than controls (73% vs. 52%; p-value = 0.01).Conclusions: The major perceived barriers to exercise in our epilepsy population are ascribed to a decline in independence (inability to drive and non-availability of transportation) rather than lack of motivation or time. This emphasizes the importance of complete seizure control in the long-term care of the patient with epilepsy since there is a significant impact on the quality of life.