Objective:

To assess the effect of six months of yoga practice, alongside standard AED therapy, on seizure frequency and quality of life measured by the WHOQOL-BREF in individuals with epilepsy

Background:

Epilepsy impacts more than just seizure control—it affects emotional balance, daily functioning, and quality of life. While antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) remain the mainstay of treatment, complementary practices like yoga are increasingly recognized for their potential to improve well-being and reduce seizure burden.

Design/Methods:

Forty-three people with epilepsy were randomly assigned to two groups: a yoga group (n=21) and a control group (n=22). Both continued their regular AED regimen. The yoga group attended one supervised session per week and practiced at home for the remaining five days, following a structured program including asanas, pranayama, and relaxation techniques, for six months. The control group received standard medical care without yoga. Seizure frequency was recorded monthly, and quality of life was evaluated at baseline and after six months using WHOQOL-BREF.

Results:

After six months, the yoga group showed a significant reduction in mean seizure frequency compared to baseline (p<0.05), while the control group showed no meaningful change. The yoga group also reported significant improvements across all WHOQOL-BREF domains—physical health, psychological well-being, social relationships, and environment. Participants in the yoga group described better sleep, reduced anxiety, improved mood, and greater confidence in managing their condition.

Conclusions:

A six-month yoga program, combining weekly supervised sessions with regular home practice, produced notable benefits in seizure control and overall quality of life for people with epilepsy. Integrating yoga as an adjunct to AED therapy appears to be a practical, low-cost, and effective approach to holistic epilepsy management. Further studies with larger samples are warranted to strengthen these findings.