It’s estimated that one in 4,800–14,000 children suffer from benign epilepsy with centro-temporal spikes (BECTS), which is one of the most common forms of childhood epilepsy. While the outlook is good – it’s easy to treat using anti-epileptic drugs and in most cases it goes away by the time children are 16 – those with BECTS are at increased risk of depression, anxiety and low self-esteem.

Although many studies have reported the beneficial impact of exercise on seizure control in animals and adults, the effectiveness of exercise therapy on the psychosocial health of children with benign epilepsy has not been fully explored. That’s why a team of scientists at Yonsei University College of Medicine in Seoul decided to focus on the subject. Their findings were published in medical journal Epilepsy and Behavior* in July.

Exercise intervention
The small-scale pilot study was based on four boys and six girls aged 8 to 12 years who all had BECTS. All of the children took part in a five-week exercise programme designed by the Yonsei team. There were two fitness sessions a week which lasted around three hours and consisted of two different 90-minute activities such playing basketball, football, table tennis or badminton, or skipping or line dancing. Children were also encouraged to do 15–20 minutes of home-based exercises such as sit-ups.
The frequency of seizures and EEG scans were recorded both before and after the programme. Neurocognitive and psychological elements including attention span, executive function, depression, anxiety, behavioural problems and quality of life were also measured.

Cognitive improvements
As no clinical symptoms got worse during the intervention, it was first suggested that physical activity is believed to be a safe, feasible way of treating epilepsy. The study also noted improvements in neurocognitive tests and psychosocial factors.

Despite the risk of cognitive, behavioural and attention impairment that comes with BECTS, the children in the study showed average levels of neurocognitive functions. Importantly, however, a number of these functions significantly improved following the exercise therapy, including sustained attention and psychomotor speed and aspects of executive function.

In addition, better ratings for behavioural and social problems, as well as mood-related wellbeing, were reported after the exercise programme.

Although the scientists also noted a slight trend towards improvement of negative mood, body complaints and general health, the differences were not big enough to be considered significant.

“A five-week structured exercise programme was successfully implemented, with preliminary data suggesting beneficial impact on neurocognitive and psychobehavioural function,” the study concluded. “Exercise therapy should be further evaluated as part of a comprehensive treatment programme for children with benign epilepsy.”

*Eom S & Kim HD et al. The Impact of Exercise Therapy on Psychosocial Health of Children with Benign Epilepsy: a Pilot Study. Epilepsy & Behavior, Vol 37, July, 2014