Intolerance of Uncertainty, Anxiety Sensitivity, and Seizures
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Intolerance of Uncertainty, Anxiety Sensitivity, and Somatisation in Seizure Conditions
IRAS ID
316771
Contact name
James Rowland
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Staffordshire University
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
The principal research objective is to explore, using quantitative methods, whether intolerance of uncertainty (IU) and Anxiety Sensitivity (AS) play a role in the experience of epilepsy and dissociative seizures (DS). The objective is to investigate the hypothesis that people with DS may report higher levels of intolerance of uncertainty and anxiety sensitivity relative to people with a diagnosis of epilepsy. In this study IU and AS would be investigated through comparison of scores on measures between one group of participants with diagnoses of DS, and one group with diagnoses of epilepsy. Participants would be asked to complete online measures. The measure assessing IU would be the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale, Short Form. The measure assessing AS would be the Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3. The study would also aim to demonstrate through regression analysis whether IU and AS predict DS or epilepsy seizure frequency or somatisation. Seizure frequency would be tracked with a self-report demographic question and somatisation would be measured through the Patient Health Questionnaire-15. Depression and anxiety commonly co-occur with epilepsy, DS, IU, AS, and somatisation and will therefore also be considered as part of the study. Depression and anxiety symptoms would be measured through the Patient Health Questionaire-9 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 respectively.
The purpose of this investigation would be to provide further direction for psychological treatment for people with DS and potentially epilepsy. Currently cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a recommended psychological intervention for DS and there is room to refine which aspects of CBT are included in treatment manuals and guidance for this population. This research could add to evidence suggesting further inclusion in psychotherapy protocols, specifically considering IU and AS.REC name
North West - Preston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/NW/0374
Date of REC Opinion
20 Dec 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion