National Survey on Physical and Sports Activity of Adults With Epilepsy

Epilepsy affects nearly 600,000 people in France and causes neurological seizures that can lead to lasting impairments and stigma. Physical activity provides many benefits, including improved quality of life, social participation, and reduced stress and seizure frequency. Despite these benefits, people with epilepsy tend to be less active than the general population due to barriers such as fear of seizures during exercise, fatigue, and negative beliefs about the disease. Psychological factors and stigma influence physical activity engagement and affect how the disease is integrated into personal identity, impacting quality of life and treatment adherence. Studying the role of anxiety, stigma, and illness identity, as well as their interaction with physical activity identity, is essential to better understand and promote physical activity among people with epilepsy.