Zeliha YÜCEL, Merve AKGÜL GÜNAY
Archives of Epilepsy - 2026;32(1):25-30
Objective: Physical exercise has been shown to improve mood, memory, and overall quality of life in people with epilepsy. Still, studies indicate that individuals with epilepsy are less active than the general population. We aimed to determine the physical activity levels of individuals with epilepsy and to gain insight into their perspectives on it. Methods: This study administered a survey to patients with epilepsy at a single tertiary care center between July 2024 and February 2025. The questionnaire developed by the research team had 21 questions and three sections. The survey assessed participants' frequency of physical activity, their opinions on sports and epilepsy, and sociodemographic information. Results: A total of 202 participants (59.4% female) completed the survey. 49.0% of the patients did not exercise regularly, while 13.9% exercised more than three times a week. The most preferred sports were walking (16.8%) and running (11.4%). The patients stated the reasons for not exercising as fear of having a seizure (35.1%), lack of time (33.2%), lack of motivation (21.3%), not seeing it as necessary (20.8%), and side effects of epilepsy medications (4.5%). 77.2% of patients had not asked their doctor any questions about physical exercise, and 66.8% had never been informed by their doctor about the importance of physical activity. 45.5% of the patients were supported by their environment regarding physical exercise, while 25.7% were discouraged from engaging in physical exercise. Conclusion: Patients with epilepsy require improved information regarding the benefits of physical exercise, and neurologists should address this need.
