Highlights
- •One-third of neurologists had no information about physical exercise and PWE.
- •Neurologists are not aware of Physical/Sports Task Force of the ILAE recommendations.
- •Neurologists believe in the beneficial effects of exercise for PWE.
Abstract
Introduction
Despite the favorable effects of exercise in people with epilepsy (PWE), the lower
participation in physical/sports activities may be partly due to inadequate knowledge
and attitudes of health professional about their benefits. In this regard, in 2016,
the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) through its Task Force on Sports
and Epilepsy published a consensus paper that provided general guidance concerning
participation in exercise/sport activities for PWE. We investigated views and attitudes
toward physical exercise practice among neurologists in Latin America.
Methods
A 22-item cross-sectional online questionnaire-based study among neurologists included
the following: (1) profile of participating neurologists, (2) doctors’ attitudes and
perceptions about physical/sport activities for PWE, and (3) neurologist experience
concerning patient’s report about their involvement in physical/sport activities.
Results
In total, 215 of 519 neurologists from 16 different countries returned the questionnaire.
Although about one-third of neurologists had no information about the effect of exercise
on epilepsy, and 60% of them did not know the published recommendations of the ILAE
Task Force on Sports and Epilepsy, the majority (92.5%) advised the practice of exercise,
were aware of sport activities for their patients and agreed that exercise can reduce
comorbidities associated with epilepsy (X2 = 249.34; p < 0.001). Most of the neurologists did not believe that exercise is a seizure-inducing
factor, but more than half would restrict their patients with uncontrolled seizures
for exercise practice (X2 = 250.77; p < 0.001). Most barriers considered by PWE in the past, currently are not viewed by
neurologists and their patients (X2 = 249.34; p < 0.001).
Conclusion
While this study reveals that neurologists have some knowledge gaps in attitudes toward
physical exercise for PWE, encouraging attitudes were observed by neurologists. Considering
that physicians can impact on patient confidence and decision, a better communication
between neurologists and their patients concerning the benefits of exercise can increase
PWE participation in physical/sports activities. To improve this scenario, more efforts
should be made to increase the neurologists’ knowledge and perceptions on this issue.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: May 05, 2022
Accepted:
April 7,
2022
Received in revised form:
March 30,
2022
Received:
March 2,
2022
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
