Retraining and Control Therapy (ReACT) for children with functional seizures
Official title: A multi-site feasibility clinical trial of Retraining and Control Therapy (ReACT), a mind and body treatment for pediatric functional seizures
Funded at University of Alabama at Birmingham · NIH-11140399 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project explores a mind and body treatment called ReACT to help children and teenagers aged 11-18 who experience functional seizures.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $478,745 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AT012101-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11140399 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are children and teenagers between 11 and 18 years old who experience functional seizures.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose seizures are caused by typical neurological conditions or who are outside the specified age range may not benefit from this particular therapy.
What this research studies
Functional seizures are a challenging condition where children experience seizure-like symptoms without typical brain activity changes, causing significant difficulties for them and their families. This new approach, called Retraining and Control Therapy (ReACT), helps children gain a greater sense of control over their actions. ReACT uses mindfulness and techniques similar to those that help with involuntary tics. We want to see if ReACT can reduce how often these seizures happen and improve a child's overall well-being.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this therapy could offer a new, effective way to reduce the frequency of functional seizures and improve the sense of control for children and teenagers.
How similar studies have gone: A previous pilot study showed that ReACT significantly reduced seizure frequency, with many children remaining seizure-free for months afterward, suggesting promise for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
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
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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.