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Abstract

Objective

To examine the effect of 12‐week exercise program on cognitive function in people with epilepsy.

Methods

Twenty‐one physically inactive subjects were randomized into two groups: the exercise group (EG) or the control group (CG). EG performed 12 weeks of combined physical training. CG was advised to maintain usual daily activities. EG received a structured, individually supervised exercise program with two 60‐minute sessions per week. Each session included warmup (5‐minutes), aerobic (15‐20 minutes at 14‐17 on Borg scale), strength (2‐3 sets, 10‐15 repetitions), and 5‐minute active stretches. Sociodemographic characteristics, clinical information, memory (Digit Span Test [DST]), executive function (Trail Making Test [TMT] A and B), Stroop Color and Word Test, a verbal fluency task, global cognitive function (Montreal Cognitive Assessment [MoCA]), anthropometric measurements (weight, height, and hip and waist circumferences), cardiorespiratory fitness (maximal oxygen consumption [VO₂max]), and strength (dynamometer) were measured at baseline and after the 12‐week intervention.

Results

Exercise decreased time spent on TMT‐A from baseline to postintervention (difference = −7.9 seconds, 95% confidence interval [CI] = −14.5 to −1.3, P  = .023). EG improved total number of words on the verbal fluency task after intervention (difference = 8.1 words, 95% CI = 3.0 to 13.2, P  = .002). EG also improved the score on MoCA at 1.7 (95% CI = 0.1 to 3.3, P  = .043) points. We observed a 22.4% (95% CI = 13.1 to 31.6, P  = .021) improvement in executive function in EG. No effect of group, time, or group × time was observed on any other cognitive test. Changes in VO₂max were negatively associated with changes in performance on DST (r  = −.445, P  = .049) and overall memory score (r  = −.544, P  = .042).

Significance

This randomized controlled trial provided the first evidence that combined physical training improves executive function in adults with epilepsy, showing main improvements in attention and language tasks. Physical exercise should be encouraged for people with epilepsy to reduce the burden on cognitive function associated with this disease.