Abstracts

Impact of Physical Activity on Quality of Life in Patients with Epilepsy in a Developing Country: A Cross-sectional, Survey-based Study

Abstract number : 2.426
Submission category : 17. Public Health
Year : 2023
Submission ID : 1310
Source : www.aesnet.org
Presentation date : 12/3/2023 12:00:00 AM
Published date :

Authors :
Presenting Author: Aleida Arritola Uriarte, MD – Epilepsy Clinic, National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery

Presenting Author: Emilio Wong Valenzuela, MD – Instituto Nacional de Neurologia y Neurocirugia Manuel Velasco Suarez

Daniel San-Juan, MD – epileptologist, Epilepsy Clinic, Epilepsy Clinic, National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Mexico City,; Emilio Wong-Valenzuela, MD – Epilepsy Clinic – Epilepsy Clinic, National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Mexico City; Miguel Benjamín Cervera-Sánchez, MD – Health Sciences Center, University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico.; Dara Lizeth Torres-Rodríguez, MD – Faculty of Medicine, Autonomous University of Nayarit, Nayarit, Mexico

Rationale:
Patients with epilepsy face different barriers based on ignorance and fear from themselves and others while exercising, this situation complicates attempts at physical activity and promotes discrimination against patients. Physical activity has been associated with favorable results in the health of patients with epilepsy and can be used as a non-pharmacological treatment seeking to increase the health and quality of life of patients. The aim of our study is to explore how physical activity impacts quality of life of perception in patients with epilepsy.

Methods:
We performed a cross-sectional, survey-based study conducted at the outpatient Epilepsy Clinic in the National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery “Manuel Velasco Suárez.” Patients between 17 and 65 years of age and with an established diagnosis of epilepsy were considered for participation. A 31-item questionnaire was administered to all participants face-to-face or by telephone. The questions included in the survey were selected from the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire and the Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory to assess the level of physical activity and perceived quality of life of participants. Descriptive and inferential Mann-Whitney U test statistical analysis were done using IBM SPSS Statistics 23.0 software.

Results:
Statistically significant differences were found in the overall quality of life domain (p=0.0032), with a mean score of 75.22±15.92 in the physical-activity group versus 60.76±17.836 in the sedentary group. Significant differences were also found in the emotional well-being (p=0.0238), cognitive (p=0.0041), social function (p=0.0018), and overall QOLIE-31 score (p=0.0006) domains.

Conclusions:
Physical activity is a factor that significantly impacts the way in which people with epilepsy perceive their quality of life. In addition, it significantly improves memory and concentration in the tasks that patients with this disease perform in their daily lives.

Funding: None

Public Health