Effect of low glycaemic diet and structured exercise on quality of life and psychosocial functions in children with epilepsy

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to investigate the combined effects of structured exercise therapy and a low glycaemic diet on quality of life and psychosocial functions in children with epilepsy. METHODS: Forty-two subjects aged 11 to 17 years and diagnosed with refractory epilepsy were recruited. Structured home-based exercise and a low glycaemic diet designed by exercise and diet specialists were administered for 6 months. The Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI) and the Quality of Life in Childhood Epilepsy Questionnaire (QOLCE-55) were administrated to compare the effects of the combined treatment after 6 months. RESULTS: Participants’ mean (±standard deviation) age was 13.1 ± 2.3 years and mean epilepsy duration was 8.9 ± 4.2 years. The seizure frequency was approximately two to four/day per week in 28 cases and five per day/week in 8 cases. After the study period, there was a significant improvement in seizure frequency and in scores on the CDI and QOLCE-55 scales. CONCLUSION: Combined therapy demonstrated a promising improvement in seizure frequency, depression level and quality of life in children with epilepsy.