Study of Bladder-sphincter Symptoms in Functional Neurological Disorders
Urinary Bladder Sphincter DisorderA significant proportion of patients with functional neurological disorders (FND) report urinary, anorectal or genitosexual disorders. However, until now, no study has focused on bladder-sphincter disorders in patients with FND. The symptoms of this pathology are, therefore, not precisely characterized. Thus, the objective of this research is to specify if urinary, anorectal or sexual disorders can be observed in patients suffering from functional neurological disorders and to better describe them in order to propose better therapeutic options.
Observational Study on "Functional Overlay" in Patients With Movement Disorders
Conversion DisorderParkinson Disease2 moreThe goal of this observational study is to learn about functional neurological disorders in patients with common non-functional movement disorders ("functional overlay"). The main questions it aims to answer are: What is the frequency of functional neurological disorders in patients with non-functional movement disorders (functional overlay)? What are the characteristics of functional neurological disorders in patients with non-functional movement disorders? Participants will be examined clinically and electrophysiologically, the examinations consist of: a neurological examination neuropsychological testing electrophysiological tremor diagnostic questionnaires about psychological, biological and social risk factors Researchers will compare patients with functional motor disorders to patients wit non-functional movement disorders to see if they differ from each other regarding the functional symptoms.
Functional Neurological Disorders in Patients Admitted in Stroke Units
Functional Neurological DisordersFunctional neurological disorders are an important subgroup of patients with stroke mimics admitted to stroke unit.Their clinical profile and outcome are poorly known. The goal of this study is to describe the cognitive and behavioral profile of stroke mimics patients, without evidence of neurological disease.
Dissociation CBT Studies
DissociationDepersonalization1 moreDissociation involves distressing feelings of unreality and disconnection. Evidence suggests it is particularly common amongst people with existing mental health difficulties, where it has been linked with greater clinical severity, poorer treatment response, and increased self-harm and suicidality. However, there are currently no psychological treatments for dissociation that have been developed from a scientific understanding of its underpinning psychological factors. In this project, three studies, each with four participants, will test a different psychological factor. Participants will be: adults (16+ years); on a waiting list for NHS psychological therapy; high scorers on a dissociation questionnaire. Participants will complete assessments before and after treatment, and at a one-month follow-up. The studies follow a 'multiple baseline design', meaning that all four participants for that study will complete their baseline assessment in the same week, and then be randomly allocated to wait either one, two, three, or four weeks before starting the intervention. The intervention will consist of four therapy sessions taking place within a five-week 'window'. Taking part in the research is voluntary. Before deciding whether to participate, we will explain the study and answer any questions. Daily, participants will record a score for their dissociation and the psychological factor being targeted. At baseline, post-therapy, and follow-up, the researchers will also measure their levels of other factors related to dissociation (i.e. those not targeted by the therapy). Additionally, feedback will be requested from participants about the therapy at the end of their involvement, in order to improve it in future. Ultimately, if successful, these interventions could form a pilot therapy for further testing and development. This could mean fewer people struggle with the challenges of dissociation.
The Effects of fNIRS-based Neurofeedback Training on Balance and Gait in Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson DiseaseMovement Disorder1 moreA cross-sectional study (part 1) aims to investigate the influence of fatigue on the MI ability in PD compared to healthy controls. A randomized controlled trial (part 2) aims to compare the effect of fNIRS-based NFB-MI on balance and gait performance versus MI only in people with PD.
Embodied Virtual Reality Therapy for Functional Neurological Symptom/ Conversion Disorder
Conversion DisorderPsychogenic Movement Disorder3 moreThe purpose of this study is to design and test the safety and feasibility of virtual reality technologies and experiences of egocentric avatar embodiment in the application of physical and cognitive behavior therapy in functional neurological symptom/conversion disorder. Investigators hypothesize that patients will safely use and accept this modality of treatment and will show evidence of a decrease in symptom frequency.
Stabilizing Group Treatment of Complex Trauma: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Posttraumatic Stress DisorderDissociative Identity Disorder1 moreThe research project outlined in this proposal aims to investigate the effectiveness of stabilizing group treatment as an add-on to conventional treatment, for patients with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or dissociative disorders after childhood abuse. The investigators also aim to study psychophysiological markers associated with complex trauma and treatment, mechanisms of change involved in treatment, and which patient characteristics that predict positive outcome.
Role of Functional Neurosurgery in Management of Spasticity
Functional Neurological DisorderSpasticity can result from a variety of causes in neural axis from which most common are cerebral palsy, strokes, cerebral haemorrhage, multiple sclerosis , traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury and underlying mechanism is broadly due to decrease inhibition of the spinal network. Clinical evaluation for spasticity involve series of clinical assessment , physical examination , and neurophysiological testing. quantitative evaluation of spasticity can be measured using modified Ashworth scale which is the most widely used clinical spasticity scale and can be used for various clinical conditions causing spasticity
Ketogenic Diet Effects on the Frequency of Non Epileptic Seizures
Non Epileptic SeizuresFunctional Neurological Symptom Disorder2 moreThe objective of this study is to determine the effects of the ketogenic diet on the frequency of non-epileptic seizures in patients with functional neurological symptoms disorder compared to a healthy diet.
TMS and Attentional Bias in Functional Motor Disorder
Conversion DisorderFunctional motor disorders, also called motor conversion disorder, are common reasons for attendance at neurology outpatient clinics. Patients with functional motor disorders are more common than patients with multiple sclerosis and have similar levels of disability but more psychological morbidity. There is limited evidence for effective treatments in functional motor disorders. A small number of studies of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), a painless method of cortical stimulation, have reported improvement in functional weakness after this treatment including in patients with symptoms of several years duration. The Investigators intend to trial TMS in a group of 40 patients with functional motor disorder, randomising patients to immediate or delayed treatment and therefore comparing a single session of TMS with routine clinical care. The Investigators will also ask patients to undergo tests of attentional focus in a cognitive neuroscience laboratory - these experiments will be analysed separately from TMS trial data.