Authors :
Presenting Author: Joseph Sisto, MPH – Boston Medical Center
Ariel Farb, MS – Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine
Janine Barrett, RN – Boston Medical Center
Abrar Al-Faraj, MD – Boston University/Boston Medical Center
Shelby Goodson, BS – Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine
Janice Weinberg, ScD – Boston University School of Public Health, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
Jane B. Allendorfer, PhD – University of Alabama at Birmingham
Myriam Abdennadher, MD – Boston University/Boston Medical Center
Rationale:
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.
Methods:
The study population included patients with clinically confirmed epilepsy diagnosis. The survey was administered between January 1st and June 30th, 2024 at the Epilepsy Clinic at Boston Medical Center. The survey included questions about self-defined gender, age, age at first seizure, seizure control status (where controlled status was ≥12 months seizure-free), and number of current anti-seizure medications (ASMs). Exercise levels (vigorous, moderate, and walking) was measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). The survey also included 11 questions about general reasons for inactivity and 10 questions about epilepsy-specific reasons for inactivity. Data was collected in REDCap. Survey responses were anonymous. Statistical analysis was performed on SAS, with p< 0.05 as statistically significant.