Post Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD, Psychogenic Nonepileptic Seizures (PNESs)
Conditions
Keywords
Psychotherapy, functional dissociative seizures, nonepileptic seizures, psychogenic nonepileptic seizures
Brief summary
An outpatient randomized controlled clinical trial conducted at the Northeast Regional Epilepsy Group's PNES Program, involving mental health clinicians certified in PE and trained in administering PsychoEd.
Detailed description
A randomized parallel group trial was utilized to compare two therapeutic interventions for PNES, PE or PsychoEd, both delivered remotely via teletherapy. Each psychotherapeutic modality provided 12, 90-minute sessions. Seizure frequency was the primary outcome measure. Secondary outcome measures were depression (Beck Depression Inventory) and post-traumatic stress symptomatology (Post-Traumatic Disorder Diagnostic Scale and PTSD Checklist). Data was collected prospectively, including baseline measures before initiating treatment, upon treatment completion, and at follow-up intervals of 3, 6, and 12-months post-treatment.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALimaginal and in vivo exposure
Prolonged exposure is a form of cognitive behavioral treatment that uses exposure to avoided memories and reminders
BEHAVIORALpsychoeducation for psychogenic nonepileptic seizures
A combination of psychoeducation about PNES and skills for emotional regulation and relaxation.
Sponsors
Northeast Regional Epilepsy Group
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
English-speaking adults (18 years and older) Confirmed diagnosis of PNES through video-EEG monitoring Confirmed diagnosis of current PTSD At least one psychogenic non-epileptic seizure in the month prior to beginning treatment.
Exclusion criteria
Concurrent mixed epilepsy and PNES or video EEG findings that cannot clearly distinguish epilepsy and PNES Active suicidality Active psychotic symptoms Active substance or alcohol use or dependence that could interfere with participation in therapy Application for disability \-
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Nonepileptic seizure frequency | From enrollment until session 12 and at 3, 6 and 12month follow up | frequency of nonepileptic seizures (PNES) per month |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) | From enrollment to session 12 and at 3, 6 and 12 months follow up | Self-report inventory of depressive symptoms 0-13: minimal depression, 14-19: mild, 20-28: moderate, 29-63: severe |
| Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PCL) for DSM 5 | From enrollment until session 12 of treatment and at 3, 6 and 12 months follow up | Post traumatic stress symptom checklist scores range from 0-80, higher score means worse outcome |
| Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale | From enrollment until session 12 of treatment and at 3, 6 and 12 months follow up | post traumatic diagnostic scale 0: No symptoms, 1-10: Mild symptoms, 11-20: Moderate symptoms, 21-35: Moderate to severe symptoms, \>36: Severe symptoms. |
| Clinician Administered PTSD Scale for DSM 5 (CAPS) | From enrollment through session 12 of treatment and at 3, 6 and 12 months follow up | Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM 5. Severity rating: 0: absent, 1: mild, 2: moderate, 3: severe, 4: extreme |
Countries
United States
Contacts
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORLorna Myers, Ph.D.
NEREG
Outcome results
None listed