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The Preventive Effect of Exercise on Epileptic Seizures: A Narrative Review

Document Type : Review Article

Authors

1 Department of Sport Science, Faculty of Humanities, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

2 Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Health, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

 Introduction: Epilepsy is a common neurological disease that leads to seizures and has been associated with cognitive, psychological, social, and neurobiological consequences. Exercise training is extensively addressed as a non-pharmacological intervention to reduce seizure susceptibility. Here, we review possible mechanisms of exercise training to reduce epileptic seizures.
Methods: The literature search was conducted in the Google Scholar, PubMed (Medline/PubMed Central), and Web of Science databases. The keywords “physical activity” OR “exercise” AND “epilepsy” OR “seizure” were searched in the title, abstract, or index term fields.
Results: Exercise training can improve quality of life, depression, anxiety, cognitive dysfunction, and memory loss, increase social engagement, and reduce the incidence of epileptic seizures by decreasing inflammation (IL-1β and TNF-α), oxidative stress (MDA, O2-, and H2O2), and neurotransmitter (GABA and glutamate) modulation. However, regular exercise can have beneficial effects on health-related physical fitness factors such as cardiovascular fitness and body composition.
Conclusion: Regular physical exercise is an excellent complementary therapy that can be used in the treatment of epileptic seizures.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References
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Journal of Kerman University of Medical Sciences
Volume 33
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