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

Abstract

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.