A new therapy to help children manage psychogenic non-epileptic seizures.
Retraining and Control Therapy (ReACT): Sense of control and catastrophic symptom expectations as targets of a cognitive behavioral treatment for pediatric psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES)
This study is testing a new therapy called ReACT to help children who have non-epileptic seizures by teaching them how to better understand and manage their symptoms, so they can feel more in control and have fewer seizures.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10923998 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a cognitive behavioral treatment called Retraining and Control Therapy (ReACT) for children experiencing psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES). The approach aims to address catastrophic symptom expectations and enhance the sense of control among young patients, which are believed to contribute to the severity of their symptoms. By utilizing techniques from cognitive behavioral therapy, the study seeks to empower children to manage their symptoms more effectively and reduce the frequency of seizures. The research builds on previous findings that suggest a strong link between a child's perception of their symptoms and their actual experience of PNES.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-20 years who are diagnosed with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have psychogenic non-epileptic seizures or those with other neurological disorders may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the quality of life for children with PNES by reducing seizure frequency and enhancing their sense of control over their condition.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown that cognitive behavioral approaches can be effective in managing symptoms in adults with PNES, suggesting potential for success in pediatric populations as well.
Where this research is happening
Birmingham, United States
- University of Alabama at Birmingham — Birmingham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fobian, Aaron D — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Fobian, Aaron D
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.