JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Epilepsy affects multiple dimensions of health. Exercise may serve as a non-pharmacological treatment, yet translating this potential into effective interventions has proven challenging.

Objective:

This pilot study, guided by the Obesity-Related Behavioral Intervention Trials (ORBIT) model, assessed the feasibility and acceptability of an 8-week supervised aerobic exercise intervention for adults with epilepsy.

Methods:

This 8-week, parallel-group, randomized controlled pilot feasibility trial included a waitlist control. Participants (n=6) were recruited from April to December 2024 and randomized to the exercise group (n=4) or control group (n=2). The exercise group engaged in supervised, light-to-moderate aerobic exercise for 1 hour, 3 days per week. Feasibility was evaluated via screening and recruitment rates, and acceptability via retention, adherence, and protocol compliance. Implementation was measured using the Acceptability of Intervention Measure, Intervention Appropriateness Measure, and Feasibility of Intervention Measures.

Results:

Average screening rate over eight months was ~3 participants/month, and average recruitment rate was 0.75 enrolled participants/month. Adherence and retention were 100%. All exercise participants completed 24/24 sessions for the full 50-minute duration. Average weekly target rate of perceived exertion goal was achieved. Implementation scores were high (>4 out of 5). No participants experienced a seizure during exercise. Three of four exercise participants experienced a ≥50% reduction in seizure frequency from their typical pattern.

Conclusions:

While recruitment challenges and a small sample size limited efficacy conclusions, the intervention demonstrated high acceptability and implementation. Future trials should refine recruitment strategies to increase sample size, enabling a Phase II trial to assess exercise’s potential effects on seizure control and other outcomes in this population. Clinical Trial: As the primary outcome was feasibility, our institution's IRB and regulatory office determined that the study did not meet the criteria for the ClinicalTrials.gov Applicable Clinical Trial (ACT) Checklist and therefore was not registered.