RecruitingNot Applicable

Cognitive Rehabilitation for Veterans With PNES

United States47 participantsStarted 2026-03-02

Plain-language summary

Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) reflect a subtype of functional neurological disorder (FND) that is common and extremely disabling in Veterans. Cognitive problems are highly prevalent in PNES, they reduce quality of life, and they severely limit daily functioning. Currently, there are no available treatments that target cognition to improve daily function in PNES or other FNDs, leaving a major gap in the literature. Cognitive re-habilitation improves daily functioning in Veterans with related neuropsychiatric disorders and has a high chance of success in Veterans with PNES. The proposed study will solicit direct input from Veterans with PNES via qualitative interviews to inform the design of a cognitive treatment workbook. The workbook will then be iteratively refined based on participatory feedback from Veterans with PNES and their treatment providers. The full cognitive intervention protocol will be pilot tested to inform a fully powered RCT. Results will support a line of research that aims to improve cognition and function in Veterans with PNES and related FNDs.

Who can participate

Age range

18 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: * U.S. Veteran * able to provide informed consent * reports cognitive difficulties * prior video EEG diagnosis of PNES * English speaking * able to read at least at 8th grade level * access to a private space with a computer (13-inch monitor) * internet access Exclusion Criteria: * acute psychosis (hallucinations or delusions) * current active suicidality * a diagnosis of dementia or intellectual disability * sensory impairment (e.g., deafness) that would preclude participation

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

WHODAS 2.0 Total Score

Timeframe: Once at baseline (prior to the intervention) and once following the 8-12 week intervention.

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07316543

SponsorVA Office of Research and Development

Sponsor typeFED

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2031-07-01

Contact for this trial

Madeleine R Lefkowitz, BS

(401) 127-7100 Madeleine.Lefkowitz@va.gov

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Psychogenic Nonepileptic Seizures (PNES) trials