ReviewExperimental and clinical findings from physical exercise as complementary therapy for epilepsy

Complementary therapies for preventing or treating epilepsy have been extensively used. This review focuses on the positive effects of physical exercise programs observed in clinical studies and experimental models of epilepsy and their significance as a complementary therapy for epilepsy. Information about the antiepileptogenic and neuroprotective effects of exercise is highlighted. Considering that exercise can exert beneficial actions such as reduction of seizure susceptibility, reduction of anxiety and depression, and consequently, improvement of quality of life of individuals with epilepsy, exercise can be a potential candidate as non-pharmacological treatment of epilepsy.This article is part of a Special Issue entitled “The Future of Translational Epilepsy Research”.

► Positive effects of physical exercise programs in epilepsy. ► Physical exercise as a complementary therapy for epilepsy. ► Exercise may be a potential candidate as non-pharmacological treatment of epilepsy. ► Exercise for the reduction of seizure susceptibility. ► Exercise for improvement of quality of life of individuals with epilepsy.