Brief Intervention for FCD: A Feasibility Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Feasibility Pilot Study of a Brief Intervention in Functional Cognitive Disorder
IRAS ID
354504
Contact name
Kendra Shaw
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 9 months, 14 days
Research summary
Functional Cognitive Disorder (FCD) involves problems with memory and thinking that often impact upon daily living and cause significant distress. Despite the impact of FCD on people’s quality of life, there are very few existing treatments for the condition and people with FCD often do not receive much support within the NHS. This project will study the feasibility of a single session intervention in supporting people with FCD.
The project aims to recruit 30 participants from the King’s College Hospital FCD pathway waiting list. Currently, patients meet with a psychologist to complete a comprehensive Neuropsychology assessment. Following this session, patients who consent to participate in the study will meet with a researcher to complete 5 questionnaires on cognitive concerns, anxiety, depression, functional impairment, and quality of life. They will then participate in a single-session intervention, which involves practicing an attention training technique, followed by two follow-up calls two weeks and a month later where they will give feedback on the intervention and complete the same questionnaires. The total time participating in the study will be approximately 4 hours over 4 timepoints.
The project will investigate whether the intervention is acceptable to participants by collecting feedback on their experience and by collecting information before and after treatment. This will include whether there are changes in people’s perception of their cognitive abilities, symptoms of anxiety and depression, and impact of FCD on quality of life. Researchers will monitor the number of participants recruited, completing the intervention, and staying involved through all study stages to assess the feasibility of piloting this intervention at a larger scale. The results of this study can help in planning larger trials of the therapy if it is found to work well.
REC name
South West - Central Bristol Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/SW/0099
Date of REC Opinion
25 Sep 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion