Study to Assess Impact of Lifestyle Interventions to Control Epileptic Seizures

An innovative study has launched to evaluate a possible link between epilepsy and stress. The 5-year clinical trial is the first to compare the effect of lifestyle interventions on seizure control.

The study will enroll 1,000 participants with difficult-to-treat epilepsy, observe the impact on seizure frequency and epilepsy-associated comorbidities such as depression, anxiety, cognitive function, and quality of life. These nonpharmacologic interventions may have on participants’ overall stress levels by measuring changes to participants’ cognitive function, mood, and quality of life.

The effects of music therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy interventions using seizure diaries, yoga, will be measured with cognitive assessments and health and quality-of-life questionnaires.

“Almost one third of people with epilepsy have recurrent seizures despite the use of multiple antiseizure medications,” said Dr. Najm. “In addition, epilepsy patients often have cognitive deficits as well as psychosocial and psychiatric issues that impact daily functioning and quality of life, including increased levels of stress. Our study objective is to think of complementary non-pharmacologic interventions to the standard anti-seizure medications to determine if stress relief can potentially reduce seizures and ultimately improve and prevent memory decline.”

More information about the study and opportunities to enroll can be found at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/departments/neurological/clinical-trials