Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Interventional Ages 11 to 18

Therapy to improve control and reduce symptoms in children with non-epileptic seizures

Official title: 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)

Run by University of Alabama at Birmingham · NCT05096273 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing a new therapy called ReACT to see if it can help children aged 9-18 with non-epileptic seizures feel more in control and reduce their symptoms.

More Convulsion, Non-Epileptic trials

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages11 Years to 18 Years
SexAll
Enrollment68 (estimated)
SponsorUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham
Academic / other
Locations1 site (Birmingham, Alabama)
StatusRecruiting
StartedOctober 28, 2021
Main results expectedDecember 31, 2026
Study endsAugust 31, 2027
Registry record updatedAugust 26, 2026
Trial IDNCT05096273 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are children aged 9-18 with a confirmed diagnosis of psychogenic non-epileptic seizures.

Probably not a fit

Patients with comorbid epilepsy or those experiencing fewer than four PNES episodes per month may not benefit from this therapy.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the effectiveness of Retraining and Control Therapy (ReACT) in treating pediatric patients aged 9-18 diagnosed with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES). Participants will undergo twelve therapy sessions aimed at enhancing their sense of control and reducing catastrophic symptom expectations. The study employs various assessments, including pain tolerance tests and cortisol measurements, to gauge the therapy's impact. Follow-up visits will occur at 6 and 12 months post-treatment to monitor long-term outcomes.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this therapy could significantly improve the quality of life for children suffering from PNES by enhancing their sense of control and reducing anxiety related to their symptoms.

How similar studies have gone: While this approach is innovative, similar studies targeting psychological aspects of seizure disorders have shown promising results.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* 9-18 years old.
* Diagnosis of psychogenic non-epileptic seizures by a medical doctor using video-EEG.
* Family member (parent if a minor) willing to participate and that the subject with PNES chooses.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Comorbid Epilepsy
* Less than 4 PNES per month
* Other paroxysmal nonepileptic events (e.g. episodes related to hypoxic-ischemic phenomena, sleep disorders or migraine-associated disorders)
* Participation in other therapy
* Severe intellectual disability
* Severe mental illness (delusions/hallucinations)

Exclusion for CPT:

* Blood pressure \>130/80 mmHg for adolescents greater than or equal to 13 years old
* Either systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure greater than or equal to 95% based on sex and age for children less than 13 years old

Where it's running

  • Sparks Center Office of Psychiatric Research
    Birmingham, Alabama, United States
    Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.