Utility of ACT self-help for PNES Final Version 1.0 date 01.04.16
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The utility of acceptance and commitment therapy guided self-help for psychogenic non-epileptic seizures
IRAS ID
200041
Contact name
Thomas Schröder
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Nottingham
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 22 days
Research summary
Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) share similar features with epileptic seizures, including changes in consciousness and behaviour. However, PNES lack the electro-physical brain activity that is characteristic of epileptic seizures. Seizures are defined as psychogenic when no somatic cause can be identified.
Evidence from the literature has identified that the psychological mechanisms underlying PNES are not well understood. This study proposes to expand knowledge in this area and to consider the efficacy of an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) intervention for patients with PNES and any secondary treatment effects on psychological distress. A recent review found that ACT self-help interventions were beneficial and produced small to medium effect sizes when compared to a control group. Therefore, the study will employ the use of an ACT self-help intervention and participants will receive chapters from the ACT self-help book “Get out of your mind and into your life” by Hayes and Smith (2005).
The study will employ the use of a multiple single case experimental design (SCED) to enable the examination of individual ACT processes on PNES and psychosocial distress. SCED is widely used in behavioural research as it allows researchers to observe changes over time and make inferences about the relationship of the data collected which has implications for clinical practice and treatment provided.
The study will employ the use of self-report measures of the ACT core processes, quality of life, psychosocial distress and seizure frequency to examine the impact of a self-help ACT intervention. Self-report measures will be used repeatedly, in line with the SCED approach, to track any changes that may be attributed to the ACT intervention.
REC name
South West - Frenchay Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/SW/0147
Date of REC Opinion
2 Jun 2016
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion