Treatment for Psychogenic Nonepileptic Seizures and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Using Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE) or Psychoeducation for PNES

Northeast Regional Epilepsy Group

Status: Completed

Conditions: Psychogenic Nonepileptic Seizures (PNESs); Post Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD

Treatments: Behavioral: psychoeducation for psychogenic nonepileptic seizures; Behavioral: imaginal and in vivo exposure

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07344766

WCGIRB 1280734

Details and patient eligibility

About

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.

Full 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.

Enrollment: 44 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

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

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Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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44 participants in 2 patient groups

Prolonged exposure

Active Comparator group

Treatment:

Behavioral: imaginal and in vivo exposure

Psychoeducational Intervention for PNES

Active Comparator group

Description:

This psychoeducational treatment was based on a similar intervention reported in 2004

Treatment:

Behavioral: psychoeducation for psychogenic nonepileptic seizures