de Andrade Santos Franciely Oliveira, Souza-Santos Caroline, Passos Adrielle Andrade, Nunes de Santana Campos Roseane, Martins-Filho Paulo Ricardo, Arida Ricardo Mario, Teixeira-Machado Lavínia
Applied in Health Sciences Graduate Program, Federal University of Sergipe, Lagarto, Sergipe, Brazil.
Psychology Graduate Program, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, Sergipe, Brazil.
Epilepsy Behav Rep. 2024 Aug 22;28:100707. doi: 10.1016/j.ebr.2024.100707. eCollection 2024.
People with active epilepsy, which is often associated with specific neurological conditions, endure significant impairments in quality of life (QoL) and functioning, particularly those in middle-income countries. Physical intervention plays an essential role in addressing these challenges. This study investigated the impact of equine-assisted therapy (EAT) on QoL, functional independence, sleep quality, antiseizure medications, and frequency of seizures among people with epilepsy (PWE), with or without additional neurological conditions. Fourteen participants aged 4-34 years old diagnosed with focal epilepsy participated in a structured EAT program. The EAT program consisted of 36 sessions, each lasting 30 min and conducted weekly. Data were collected at four different times: baseline (T1), after 12 sessions (T2), after 24 sessions (T3), and after 36 sessions (T4). The assessments included the Quality of Life in Epilepsy (QOLIE-31), Functional Independence Measure (FIM), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Liverpool Adverse Event Profile (LAEP) scores. Seizure frequency was monitored continuously. Horse welfare was evaluated using the Horse Welfare Assessment Protocol (HWAP). After the EAT intervention, significant improvements were observed in the QoL scores (from 62.18 [57.88 - 70.25] to 80.18 [65.30 - 86.78]) and in FIM values (from 70.00 [36.50 - 97.75] to 70.00 [51.75 - 116.75]), particularly in the self-care and social cognition domains. Additionally, there was also a decrease in seizure frequency, adverse effects of antiseizure medications, and sleep quality. The HWAP indicated satisfactory welfare conditions for the horses. These findings indicate that EAT holds promise as a therapeutic intervention for improving the QoL and functioning of PWE. Tailored interventions are essential to address the diverse challenges faced by PWE, emphasizing the need for further research on effective therapeutic approaches.
活动性癫痫患者常伴有特定的神经疾病，生活质量（QoL）和功能受到严重损害，在中等收入国家的患者尤为如此。物理干预在应对这些挑战方面发挥着重要作用。本研究调查了马术辅助治疗（EAT）对癫痫患者（PWE）的生活质量、功能独立性、睡眠质量、抗癫痫药物和癫痫发作频率的影响，这些患者有无其他神经疾病。14名年龄在4至34岁、被诊断为局灶性癫痫的参与者参加了一个结构化的EAT项目。EAT项目包括36节课程，每节持续30分钟，每周进行一次。在四个不同时间收集数据：基线（T1）、12节课程后（T2）、24节课程后（T3）和36节课程后（T4）。评估包括癫痫生活质量量表（QOLIE - 31）、功能独立性测量（FIM）、匹兹堡睡眠质量指数（PSQI）和利物浦不良事件概况（LAEP）评分。持续监测癫痫发作频率。使用马匹福利评估协议（HWAP）评估马匹福利。EAT干预后，生活质量评分（从62.18[57.88 - 70.25]提高到80.18[65.30 - 86.78]）和FIM值（从70.00[36.50 - 97.75]提高到70.00[51.75 - 116.75]）有显著改善，特别是在自我护理和社会认知领域。此外，癫痫发作频率、抗癫痫药物的不良反应和睡眠质量也有所下降。HWAP表明马匹的福利状况令人满意。这些发现表明，EAT有望成为改善PWE生活质量和功能的治疗干预措施。量身定制的干预措施对于应对PWE面临的各种挑战至关重要，强调需要进一步研究有效的治疗方法。
