Optimizing Placebo Effects in Pre-surgical Video-EEG Monitoring for Epilepsy

Placebo Optimization of the Presurgical Long-term Video-EEG Monitoring (OPERA)

NA · University Hospital, Bonn · NCT06383689

This study is testing if different types of placebo pills can help improve the emotional well-being of people undergoing video-EEG monitoring for epilepsy, while also seeing if they affect the timing of seizures.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment90 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity Hospital, Bonn (other)
Locations1 site (Bonn, North Rhine-Westphalia)
Trial IDNCT06383689 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the effects of placebo pills on patients undergoing long-term video-EEG monitoring for presurgical epilepsy diagnostics. Participants will be pseudo-randomized into three groups: one receiving a placebo pill intended to accelerate seizure occurrence, another receiving a placebo for emotional well-being, and a control group without any placebo. The study aims to determine if the placebo can influence subjective well-being while hypothesizing that it will not affect the timing of seizure events. The findings could provide insights into the role of placebo effects in epilepsy management.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are individuals eligible for presurgical epilepsy diagnostics who are undergoing long-term video-EEG monitoring.

Not a fit: Patients who are not eligible for presurgical diagnostics or those unable to provide informed consent may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance the understanding of placebo effects in epilepsy, potentially improving patient care and emotional well-being during monitoring.

How similar studies have performed: While the concept of placebo effects is well-documented, this specific approach to studying its impact on seizure timing and emotional well-being is novel and has not been extensively tested.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* eligibility for presurgical epilepsy diagnostics

Exclusion Criteria:

* inclusion criterion implies all exclusion criteria for this procedure
* legal guardian
* lack of consent or lack of capability to provide informed consent

Where this trial is running

Bonn, North Rhine-Westphalia

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Symptomatic Epilepsy, epilepsy, emotional well-being, placebo, video-EEG long-term monitoring, presurgical epilepsy diagnostics

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.