Abstract: Objective: To conduct a Meta-analysis assessing the intervention effects of exercise participation in patients with epilepsy, aiming to provide evidence-based guidance for clinical practice. Methods: We searched randomized controlled trials on epilepsy patients having exercise from PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science databases, CNKI, Wanfang database, VIP and CBM from their inception to September 29, 2023. Meta-analysis was performed by RevMan 5.4. Results: A total of 9 studies involving 400 patients were finally included. The results showed that exercise reduced seizure frequency [MD=-2.35, 95%CI(-3.16, -1.54), P<0.001], without an increased occurrence of adverse events [RR=2.54, 95%CI (0.11, 56.25), P=0.56]. Furthermore, it could enhance the daily activity levels of patients [MD=1.39, 95%CI (0.48, 2.29), P=0.003], ameliorate depressive symptoms [SMD=0.90, 95%CI (0.22, 1.58), P=0.01], improve cognitive function [SMD=0.69, 95%CI (0.03, 1.35), P=0.04], and elevate the quality of life [SMD=0.43, 95% CI (0.22, 0.64), P<0.001]. However, there was no statistically significant difference in improving anxiety symptoms [SMD=-1.27, 95%CI (-3.00, 0.46), P=0.15]. Conclusion: The implementation of a scientifically developed exercise in patients with epilepsy was safe and effective in relieving depressive symptoms, improving cognitive function and life quality, but was not that obvious in reducing their anxiety symptoms.

Key words: epilepsy; exercise; randomized controlled trial; systematic evaluation; Meta-analysis