CompletedNot Applicable

Project UPLIFT for Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures

United States8 participantsStarted 2018-07-23

Plain-language summary

Developed by researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Project UPLIFT (Using Practice and Learning to Increase Favorable Thoughts) is a group telephone program designed to improve depression for people with epilepsy. Project UPLIFT uses evidence-based approaches of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy to help people manage and prevent symptoms of depression. For people with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures, there are few treatment options for depression that address the relationship between mood and seizures. There is evidence that mindfulness-based therapy and cognitive therapy are both effective for people with non-epileptic seizures, both in treating depression and reducing seizure frequency. In this study, Project UPLIFT will be offered to patients with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures. Project UPLIFT is facilitated by a trained clinician to groups of 4-8 patients over the telephone. The group will meet at a regular time, once a week, for 8 consecutive weeks. Participants will be assigned to one of two groups: an immediate-treatment or a waitlist control group which will begin Project UPLIFT 3 months after enrolling in the study.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 65 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * History of psychogenic non-epileptic seizures, confirmed by study investigator. * Literate * Reliable telephone access Exclusion Criteria: * Dual diagnosis of PNES with epilepsy. * Presence of serious mental illness that will impair ability to participate. * Presence of active suicidal ideation at baseline with intention to act. * Severe mental disability or estimated intelligent quotient (IQ) less than 70. * No reliable telephone access.

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

80% of participants who begin Session 1 of UPLIFT will complete 80% of the sessions.

Timeframe: 6 months

Trial details

NCT IDNCT03329703

SponsorDartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2020-06-30

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizure trials