Remote Walking Program May Help Adults With Epilepsy

What was studied

Researchers assessed whether a remote physical activity program was feasible for adults with epilepsy. The study included 21 adults who had at least one seizure in the past 6 months. They were randomly assigned in a 2-to-1 ratio to either a physical activity program (15 people) or a healthy living education comparison group (6 people).

The physical activity group took part in a 12-week program led by a trained health coach, with a goal of gradually increasing daily steps. The comparison group received phone-based education every 2 weeks about healthy living. A Garmin watch tracked daily steps and how much activity was moderate to vigorous. Researchers also assessed whether changes were sustained for 12 weeks after the program ended.

What they found

The remote program appeared feasible in this small group. Retention was high, attendance was fairly high, and acceptability was high in the intervention group. Seventeen of 21 participants completed the full study.

People in the physical activity group had significant increases in average daily steps and minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity during the 12-week program, while the control group did not show statistically significant changes over time. These activity levels remained elevated 12 weeks after the program ended. However, only about 27% of people in the intervention group strictly met their daily step goal.

Limits of the evidence

This was a small feasibility study, so it cannot show with certainty that the program would have the same results in larger or different groups. The control group was especially small. The study mainly shows that the program was possible to deliver and that physical activity increased in this sample.

The abstract does not report whether the program changed seizures, injuries, mood, quality of life, or other health outcomes. It also does not give much detail about the participants, so it is unclear how broadly the results apply to all adults with epilepsy.

For families and caregivers

This study suggests that a coach-led walking program delivered remotely may help some adults with epilepsy become more active, and many participants in the intervention group stayed in the study and attended sessions. That may matter for families interested in options that do not require in-person visits.

Still, this early study does not show whether being more active improved seizure control or other health outcomes. It is best viewed as a promising early study, not a final answer.

What to watch next

A larger study could help clarify whether these findings hold up and could also measure seizure outcomes, safety, quality of life, and how the program works in different kinds of adults with epilepsy.

Terms in this summary

feasibility study

A study that asks whether a program can be done and whether people will take part in it.

randomized

Participants were assigned by chance to different groups, which helps make comparisons fairer.

control group

The comparison group that did not get the main physical activity program.

moderate-to-vigorous activity

Physical activity that raises the heart rate and breathing more than easy movement, such as brisk walking.

retention

How many people stayed in the study until the end.

adherence

How closely participants followed the program goals or instructions.