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

Is this trial a fit for you?

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 11-18 diagnosed with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES). Participants will be randomly assigned to either ReACT or supportive therapy, engaging in twelve sessions, with the first session conducted in-person and the remaining via telehealth. The study aims to measure changes in sense of control and catastrophic symptom expectations through various assessments, including pain tolerance and cortisol response. Data will be collected through questionnaires, PNES diaries, and physiological measures to assess treatment outcomes.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* 11-18 years old.
* Diagnosis of psychogenic non-epileptic seizures by a medical doctor using video-EEG.
* Family member (parent/guardian 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 during the study
* 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

• University of Alabama at Birmingham
  Birmingham, Alabama, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Aaron Fobian, PhD — University of Alabama at Birmingham
• Study coordinator: Aaron Fobian, PhD
• Email: afobian@uabmc.edu
• Phone: 205-934-2241

Similar studies

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

• Retraining and Control Therapy for adults with non-epileptic seizures

  This study is testing a new therapy called Retraining and Control Therapy to see if it can help adults with non-epileptic seizures feel more in control and reduce their worries about their symptoms.

  Recruiting University of Alabama at Birmingham · Birmingham, Alabama · NCT06570954

• Creating a treatment program for functional neurological disorder

  This study is trying to create a new treatment plan for people with functional neurological disorder by bringing together different types of therapy to see if it helps both kids and adults feel better.

  Recruiting University of Alabama at Birmingham · Birmingham, Alabama · NCT06362161

• Feasibility of a new mind and body treatment for pediatric functional seizures

  This study is testing if two different treatments for kids with functional seizures work well enough to be used in a larger trial.

  Recruiting University of Alabama at Birmingham · Birmingham, Alabama · NCT05819268

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

  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.

  Recruiting University of Alabama at Birmingham · Birmingham, Alabama · NCT05096273

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.