Utilizing wearable activity trackers to promote physical activity in people with epilepsy: a randomized controlled trial

To evaluate exercise education alone versus exercise education in combination with a wearable physical activity tracker in people with epilepsy (PWE) to determine the effect on physical activity and measure potential impact on depression, anxiety, sleep, and quality of life (QoL).

In an open parallel group prospective randomized controlled trial, PWE between 18 and 64 years old were recruited from a single US epilepsy center. Eligible participants were randomized into two groups (control and intervention arms). Both arms received standard-of-care exercise education for PWE. The intervention arm also received a Fitbit for data monitoring and smartphone-application-based physical activity challenge opportunities. Both arms provided self-reported physical activity metrics at enrollment and study completion. Fitbit data were collected from each participant in the intervention arm continuously for three months. Secondary outcome measures for depression, anxiety, sleep, and QoL were also assessed at baseline and post-intervention. Seizure frequency was monitored as an adverse event.

Eighty participants were recruited (40 intervention, 40 control). There was a significant increase in aerobic physical activity level after three months within the intervention arm and a nonsignificant positive trend within the control arm. There was a nonsignificant improvement in depression and anxiety scores in both arms. There was no significant change in sleep or QoL and no adverse impact on seizure frequency.

The use of wearable physical activity trackers in conjunction with smartphone-application-based physical activity challenges and exercise education resulted in a within-intervention-arm improvement in aerobic physical activity in PWE with no change in seizure frequency.