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TMS vs Conventional Therapy for the Treatment of Functional Neurological Non Epileptic Seizure Disorder

Controlled Clinical Trial of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Versus Conventional Therapy for the Treatment of Functional Neurological Non-Epileptic Seizure Disorder: A Pilot Study

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT05241366
Enrollment
28
Registered
2022-02-15
Start date
2022-02-14
Completion date
2023-07-31
Last updated
2023-09-28

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizure

Keywords

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor, Functional Neurological Disorder

Brief summary

The aim of the study is to compare the effect of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) versus treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), in patients with diagnosis of Functional Neurological Non Epileptic Seizure Disorder (PNES).

Detailed description

This study consists of a single-blind Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial comprised of 20 patients with diagnosis of Psychogenic Non Epileptic Seizures (PNES), distributed in 2 arms of 10 patients each. Patients (n=20) will be randomly assigned (using the block randomization method) to one of the groups. Both groups of patients will be receiving their usual medical treatment (SSRIs), one group will receive in addition a therapeutic scheme with active TMS, while the second group will receive the same scheme, but with a sham TMS coil to decrease the bias of placebo effect.

Interventions

DEVICETranscranial Magnetic Stimulation

The TMS group will be comprised of 10 patients, each subject will receive 12 sessions of low frequency (1 Hz) rTMS over the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex with a total of 1500 pulses in each session. Each session will last approximately 30 minutes. There will be one session per day, five sessions per week. The total duration of the treatment will be four weeks. All patients will continue with the usual treatment established by their treating physician. Those who do not have a previous pharmacological treatment will start a protocol with sertraline, which should be started at a 50 mg/day dosage.

DEVICESham Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation coil

Simulated TMS stimulation will be performed with a Sham TMS coil, which has a sound and scalp contact similar to those experienced during active stimulation. The duration of the treatment will be the same as in the experimental arm. All patients will continue with the usual treatment established by their treating physician. Those who do not have a previous pharmacological treatment will start a protocol with sertraline, which should be started at a 50 mg/day dosage.

Sponsors

El Instituto Nacional de Neurologia y Neurocirugia Manuel Velasco Suarez
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Outcomes Assessor)

Masking description

Double masking (Trial Participant/Outcomes Assessor)

Intervention model description

Single-blind randomized controlled clinical trial. Non-probabilistic sampling of consecutive cases randomized to each arm of the study. The study will consist of a control group and a study group. The study group will receive a therapeutic scheme with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) + usual pharmacological treatment and the control group will receive an identical scheme with TMS simulated with a sham coil + usual pharmacological treatment.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

1. Patients with a diagnosis of PNES, based on the diagnostic criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5) and the ILAE, confirmed by video recording and/or V-EEG monitoring, and who have a monthly seizure frequency greater than 3. 2. Patients who have a record at the institute with the diagnosis of PNES. 3. Patients with an encephalic MRI. 4. Patients who give their written consent to participate in the protocol. 5. Patients who have not had any changes in the pharmacological treatment in the last 6 weeks.

Exclusion criteria

1. Patients who cannot answer the scales and other clinimetric instruments. 2. Patients with a history of previous or current epilepsy. 3. Patients with other major neurological comorbidities (tumor, cerebrovascular event (CVE), cranioencephalic trauma (TBI)). 4. Patients currently taking medications that lower the seizure threshold (Bupropion). 5. Patients with psychiatric comorbidities such as psychosis/bipolar disorder/substance abuse. 6. Patients with certain implanted metallic devices (pacemakers). 7. Pregnant women.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
PNES count (1/4)Baseline PNES count (Starting 1 month before TMS treatment)Participants in both groups will registered in a specific chart, daily psychogenic non-epileptic seizure activity.
PNES count (2/4)Change from Baseline PNES count (immediately after the session 12th -last session-)Participants in both groups will registered in a specific chart, daily psychogenic non-epileptic seizure activity.
PNES count (3/4)Change from Baseline PNES count at month 1 post treatmentParticipants in both groups will registered in a specific chart, daily psychogenic non-epileptic seizure activity.
PNES count (4/4)Change from Baseline PNES count at month 2 post treatmentParticipants in both groups will registered in a specific chart, daily psychogenic non-epileptic seizure activity.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Psychometric self-assessment scales (BDI-II) 4/4Change from Baseline score at month 2 post treatment1.3) Mood: Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) Minimum score: 0 Maximum score: 63 1-10: These ups and downs are considered normal 11-16: Mild mood disturbance 17-20: Borderline clinical depression 21-30: Moderate depression 31-40: Severe depression over 40: Extreme depression \*Higher scores mean a worse outcome.
Psychometric self-assessment scales (DES) 1/4Baseline score (1 month before TMS treatment)2.0) Dissociation : Dissociative Experience Scale (DES). Minimum score: 0 Maximum score: 100 High levels of dissociation are indicated by scores of 30 or more, scores under 30 indicate low levels. \*Higher scores mean a worse outcome.
Psychometric self-assessment scales (DES) 2/4Change from Baseline score (immediately after the 12th session -last session-)2.1) Dissociation : Dissociative Experience Scale (DES). Minimum score: 0 Maximum score: 100 High levels of dissociation are indicated by scores of 30 or more, scores under 30 indicate low levels. \*Higher scores mean a worse outcome.
Psychometric self-assessment scales (DES) 3/4Change from Baseline score at month 1 post treatment2.2) Dissociation : Dissociative Experience Scale (DES). Minimum score: 0 Maximum score: 100 High levels of dissociation are indicated by scores of 30 or more, scores under 30 indicate low levels. \*Higher scores mean a worse outcome.
Psychometric self-assessment scales (DES) 4/4Change from Baseline score at month 2 post treatment2.3) Dissociation : Dissociative Experience Scale (DES). Minimum score: 0 Maximum score: 100 High levels of dissociation are indicated by scores of 30 or more, scores under 30 indicate low levels. \*Higher scores mean a worse outcome.
Psychometric self-assessment scales (PTSD) 1/4Baseline score (1 month before TMS treatment)3.0) PTSD/Trauma/Resilience: PTSD Symptom Severity Scale. Minimum score: 0 Maximum score: 80 \*Higher scores mean a worse outcome.
Psychometric self-assessment scales (PTSD) 2/4Change from Baseline score (immediately after the 12th session -last session-)3.1) PTSD/Trauma/Resilience: PTSD Symptom Severity Scale. Minimum score: 0 Maximum score: 80 \*Higher scores mean a worse outcome.
Psychometric self-assessment scales (PTSD) 3/4Change from Baseline score at month 1 post treatment3.2) PTSD/Trauma/Resilience: PTSD Symptom Severity Scale. Minimum score: 0 Maximum score: 80 \*Higher scores mean a worse outcome.
Psychometric self-assessment scales (PTSD) 4/4Change from Baseline score at month 2 post treatment3.3) PTSD/Trauma/Resilience: PTSD Symptom Severity Scale. Minimum score: 0 Maximum score: 80 \*Higher scores mean a worse outcome.
Psychometric self-assessment scales (MoCA) 1/4Baseline score (1 month before TMS treatment)4.0) Education and Cognition: Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Minimum score: 0 Maximum score: 30 Normal score: 26-30 Probable Neurocognitive Dissorder: 0-25 \*Higher scores mean a better outcome.
Psychometric self-assessment scales (MoCA) 2/4Change from Baseline score (immediately after the 12th session -last session-)4.1) Education and Cognition: Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Minimum score: 0 Maximum score: 30 Normal score: 26-30 Probable Neurocognitive Dissorder: 0-25 \*Higher scores mean a better outcome.
Psychometric self-assessment scales (MoCA) 3/4Change from Baseline score at month 1 post treatment4.2) Education and Cognition: Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Minimum score: 0 Maximum score: 30 Normal score: 26-30 Probable Neurocognitive Dissorder: 0-25 \*Higher scores mean a better outcome.
Psychometric self-assessment scales (MoCA) 4/4Change from Baseline score at month 2 post treatment4.3) Education and Cognition: Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Minimum score: 0 Maximum score: 30 Normal score: 26-30 Probable Neurocognitive Dissorder: 0-25 \*Higher scores mean a better outcome.
Psychometric self-assessment scales (WHOQOL-BREF) 1/4Baseline score (1 month before TMS treatment)5.0) Quality of life: WHOQOL-BREF (World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF). Minimum score: 0 Maximum score: 100 \*Higher scores mean a better outcome.
Psychometric self-assessment scales (WHOQOL-BREF) 2/4Change from Baseline score (immediately after the 12th session -last session-)5.1) Quality of life: WHOQOL-BREF (World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF). Minimum score: 0 Maximum score: 100 \*Higher scores mean a better outcome.
Psychometric self-assessment scales (WHOQOL-BREF) 4/4Change from Baseline score at month 2 post treatment5.3) Quality of life: WHOQOL-BREF (World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF). Minimum score: 0 Maximum score: 100 \*Higher scores mean a better outcome.
Psychometric self-assessment scales (WHOQOL-BREF) 3/4Change from Baseline score at month 1 post treatment5.2) Quality of life: WHOQOL-BREF (World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF). Minimum score: 0 Maximum score: 100 \*Higher scores mean a better outcome.
Psychometric self-assessment scales (King's) 2/4Change from Baseline score (immediately after the 12th session -last session-)6.1) King's Internalized Stigma Scale. Minimum score: 0 Maximum score: 112 \*Higher scores mean a worse outcome.
Psychometric self-assessment scales (King's) 3/4Change from Baseline score at month 1 post treatment6.2) King's Internalized Stigma Scale. Minimum score: 0 Maximum score: 112 \*Higher scores mean a worse outcome.
Psychometric self-assessment scales (King's) 4/4Change from Baseline score at month 2 post treatment6.3) King's Internalized Stigma Scale. Minimum score: 0 Maximum score: 112 \*Higher scores mean a worse outcome.
Psychometric self-assessment scales (OCI-R) 1/4Baseline score (1 month before TMS treatment)7.0) Obsessions/compulsions: The Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory Short Version (OCI-R) Minimum score: 0 Maximum score: 72 \*Higher scores mean a worse outcome.
Psychometric self-assessment scales (OCI-R) 2/4Change from Baseline score (immediately after the 12th session -last session-)7.1) Obsessions/compulsions: The Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory Short Version (OCI-R) Minimum score: 0 Maximum score: 72 \*Higher scores mean a worse outcome.
Psychometric self-assessment scales (OCI-R) 3/4Change from Baseline score at month 1 post treatment7.2) Obsessions/compulsions: The Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory Short Version (OCI-R) Minimum score: 0 Maximum score: 72 \*Higher scores mean a worse outcome.
Psychometric self-assessment scales (OCI-R) 4/4Change from Baseline score at month 2 post treatment7.3) Obsessions/compulsions: The Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory Short Version (OCI-R) Minimum score: 0 Maximum score: 72 \*Higher scores mean a worse outcome.
Psychometric self-assessment scales (BAI) 1/4Baseline score (1 month before TMS treatment)8.0) Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Minimum score: 0 Maximum score: 63 Minimal: 0 - 7 Mild: 8 - 15 Moderate: 16 - 25 Severe: 26 - 63 \*Higher scores mean a worse outcome.
Psychometric self-assessment scales (BAI) 2/4Change from Baseline score (immediately after the 12th session -last session-)8.1) Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Minimum score: 0 Maximum score: 63 Minimal: 0 - 7 Mild: 8 - 15 Moderate: 16 - 25 Severe: 26 - 63 \*Higher scores mean a worse outcome.
Psychometric self-assessment scales (BAI) 3/4Change from Baseline score at month 1 post treatment8.2) Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Minimum score: 0 Maximum score: 63 Minimal: 0 - 7 Mild: 8 - 15 Moderate: 16 - 25 Severe: 26 - 63 \*Higher scores mean a worse outcome.
Psychometric self-assessment scales (BAI) 4/4Change from Baseline score at month 2 post treatment8.3) Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Minimum score: 0 Maximum score: 63 Minimal: 0 - 7 Mild: 8 - 15 Moderate: 16 - 25 Severe: 26 - 63 \*Higher scores mean a worse outcome.
Psychometric self-assessment scales (HADS) 1/4Baseline score (1 month before TMS treatment)9.0) Anxiety: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Depression (D): Minimum score: 0 Maximum score: 21 Anxiety (A): Minimum score: 0 Maximum score: 21 \*Higher scores mean a worse outcome.
Psychometric self-assessment scales (HADS) 2/4Change from Baseline score (immediately after the 12th session -last session-)9.1) Anxiety: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Depression (D): Minimum score: 0 Maximum score: 21 Anxiety (A): Minimum score: 0 Maximum score: 21 \*Higher scores mean a worse outcome.
Psychometric self-assessment scales (HADS) 3/4Change from Baseline score at month 1 post treatment9.2) Anxiety: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Depression (D): Minimum score: 0 Maximum score: 21 Anxiety (A): Minimum score: 0 Maximum score: 21 \*Higher scores mean a worse outcome.
Psychometric self-assessment scales (HADS) 4/4Change from Baseline score at month 2 post treatment9.3) Anxiety: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Depression (D): Minimum score: 0 Maximum score: 21 Anxiety (A): Minimum score: 0 Maximum score: 21 \*Higher scores mean a worse outcome.
Psychometric self-assessment scales (King's) 1/4Baseline score (1 month before TMS treatment)6.0) King's Internalized Stigma Scale. Minimum score: 0 Maximum score: 112 \*Higher scores mean a worse outcome.
Psychometric self-assessment scales (BDI-II) 1/4Baseline score (1 month before TMS treatment)1.0) Mood: Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) Minimum score: 0 Maximum score: 63 1-10: These ups and downs are considered normal 11-16: Mild mood disturbance 17-20: Borderline clinical depression 21-30: Moderate depression 31-40: Severe depression over 40: Extreme depression \*Higher scores mean a worse outcome.
Psychometric self-assessment scales (BDI-II) 2/4Change from Baseline score (immediately after the 12th session -last session-)1.1) Mood: Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) Minimum score: 0 Maximum score: 63 1-10: These ups and downs are considered normal 11-16: Mild mood disturbance 17-20: Borderline clinical depression 21-30: Moderate depression 31-40: Severe depression over 40: Extreme depression \*Higher scores mean a worse outcome.
Psychometric self-assessment scales (BDI-II) 3/4Change from Baseline score at month 1 post treatment1.2) Mood: Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) Minimum score: 0 Maximum score: 63 1-10: These ups and downs are considered normal 11-16: Mild mood disturbance 17-20: Borderline clinical depression 21-30: Moderate depression 31-40: Severe depression over 40: Extreme depression \*Higher scores mean a worse outcome.

Countries

Mexico

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026