Cognitive rehabilitation to help veterans with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES)
Official title: Cognitive and Functional Telehealth-based Assessment and Intervention in Veterans With Psychogenic Nonepileptic Seizures
Run by VA Office of Research and Development · NCT07316543 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This program will try a telehealth cognitive rehabilitation workbook and sessions (CRAFT) to help U.S. veterans with PNES improve thinking skills and everyday functioning.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 47 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | VA Office of Research and Development Federal |
| Locations | 1 site (Providence, Rhode Island) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | March 2, 2026 |
| Main results expected | July 1, 2031 |
| Study ends | July 1, 2031 |
| Registry record updated | March 12, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07316543 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal participants are U.S. veterans with a prior video-EEG diagnosis of PNES who report cognitive difficulties, can provide consent, read at least an eighth-grade level, speak English, and have a private space with a computer and internet for telehealth sessions.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with dementia or intellectual disability, acute psychosis, active suicidality, significant sensory impairments that prevent participation, or those without the required computer/internet access are unlikely to benefit or to be eligible.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) are a common and disabling form of functional neurological disorder in veterans, and cognitive problems are frequent and limit daily life. The project will begin with qualitative interviews of veterans with PNES to gather direct input for a cognitive rehabilitation workbook adapted from successful approaches used in related conditions. The workbook and treatment protocol will be iteratively refined with feedback from veteran participants and their clinicians and will be delivered via telehealth. The finalized cognitive intervention will be pilot tested to collect feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary outcome data to inform a fully powered randomized trial.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the intervention could improve cognition and everyday functioning for veterans with PNES and produce a telehealth-ready rehabilitation program adaptable to other functional neurological disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Cognitive rehabilitation has produced functional gains in related conditions such as traumatic brain injury, but this is the first intervention specifically developed and pilot-tested to target cognition in PNES.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * U.S. Veteran * able to provide informed consent * reports cognitive difficulties * prior video EEG diagnosis of PNES * English speaking * able to read at least at 8th grade level * access to a private space with a computer (13-inch monitor) * internet access Exclusion Criteria: * acute psychosis (hallucinations or delusions) * current active suicidality * a diagnosis of dementia or intellectual disability * sensory impairment (e.g., deafness) that would preclude participation
Where it's running
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Providence VA Medical Center, Providence, RI
Providence, Rhode Island, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Ryan A Van Patten, PhD — Providence VA Medical Center, Providence, RI
- Study coordinator: Madeleine R Lefkowitz, BS
- Email: Madeleine.Lefkowitz@va.gov
- Phone: (401) 127-7100
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.