Systematic Review Examines Lifestyle Interventions as Adjuncts to Epilepsy Care
A new systematic review and meta-analysis published in Epilepsia, led by Elizabeth Spurgeon, MD, has quantitatively compared various lifestyle interventions as supplementary treatments for epilepsy. The review analyzed different approaches, including dietary interventions, mind-body practices like meditation and yoga, and behavioral therapies, to assess their impact on seizure control and quality of life when used alongside standard epilepsy care. Dietary interventions showed the largest evidence base with 33 studies, while meditation, yoga, and mindfulness had the highest response rates, though from a smaller pool of 8 studies. Exercise and supplements had the lowest response rates, ranging from 30% to 35%. The authors noted significant variability across the studies, with less than half (44%) including a control group, and no formal risk-of-bias assessment was performed. This research aims to explore additional avenues for managing epilepsy, especially for the nearly one-third of patients who continue to...
