Trial Parameters
Brief Summary
The purpose of this study is to assess sense of control and catastrophic symptom expectations as targets for Retraining and Control Therapy (ReACT- an intervention focused on changing behaviors and thoughts) for treatment of pediatric psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES, episodes resembling epileptic seizures but with no correlated epileptiform activity). 11-18-year-olds diagnosed with PNES will engage in twelve sessions of either ReACT or supportive therapy. Sense of control over actions will be measured by the magic and turbulence task, a well-validated measure of sense of control. Participants will complete the cold pressor test (CPT) in which participants hold their hand in cool water for as long as possible up to 3 minutes. Catastrophic symptom expectations in response to the CPT will be measured by Pain Catastrophizing Scale for Children (PCS-C), pain tolerance (time with hand in water) and cortisol response. Target assessments occur 7 days before treatment, 7 days after 12th treatment session, and 2 months after the 12th treatment session. Long term follow-up assessments will occur 6 months and 12 months after the 12th treatment session. PNES frequency will be measured from 30 days before to 12 months after treatment.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * 11-18 years old. * Diagnosis of psychogenic non-epileptic seizures by a medical doctor using video-EEG. * Family member (parent/guardian if a minor) willing to participate and that the subject with PNES chooses. Exclusion Criteria: * Comorbid Epilepsy * Less than 4 PNES per month * Other paroxysmal nonepileptic events (e.g. episodes related to hypoxic-ischemic phenomena, sleep disorders or migraine-associated disorders) * Participation in other therapy during the study * Severe intellectual disability * Severe mental illness (delusions/hallucinations) Exclusion for CPT: * Blood pressure \>130/80 mmHg for adolescents greater than or equal to 13 years old * Either systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure greater than or equal to 95% based on sex and age for children less than 13 years old