Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome in Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder

NCT07451821 | Not Yet Recruiting DMC

• 1 other identifier: EMHDH-2026-FNSD-SLUGGISHTEMPO
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 100
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This cross-sectional observational case-control study aims to investigate symptoms of sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT), also known as cognitive disengagement syndrome (CDS), in adults diagnosed with Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder/Conversion Disorder (FNSD/CD). The study compares SCT/CDS symptoms between patients with FNSD/CD and healthy controls and evaluates their relationship with clinical variables. It is hypothesized that individuals diagnosed with FNSD/CD will exhibit higher levels of SCT/CDS symptoms compared to healthy controls.

Conditions

Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder

Keywords

Sluggish Cognitive Tempo; Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome; Conversion Disorder; Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder; Dissociation; Attention; Daydreaming

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Barkley's Adult Sluggish Cognitive Tempo Ratings Scale -Turkish Version (SCT)

  Adult Sluggish Cognitive Tempo Ratings Scale (SCT) was developed by choosing the symptom sets used in prior studies of SCT in children and adolescents. It is a self-report scale and included the following nine items: "1. Prone to daydreaming when I should be concen trating"; "2. I have trouble staying alert or awake in boring situations"; "3. I am easily confused"; "4. I am easily bored"; "5. My mind is spacey or in a fog"; "6. I am lethargic, more tired than others"; "7. I am underactive or have less energy than others"; "8. I am a slow- moving"; "9. I don't seem to process information as quickly or as accurately as others.".Barkley suggested using the number of SCT symptoms answered often or very often as a total score and 5 or higher total score as a cutoff point for having elevated SCT.

  At hospital admission (baseline)

• Somatoform Dissociation Questionnaire (SDQ-20)

  The Somatoform Dissociation Questionnaire is a self-assessment scale which is administered to psychiatric patients, individuals with traumatic experiences, and non-clinical populations for screening purposes. The self-administered scale contains 20 questions, each answered with a scale of 1 to 5 options. Studies in Turkey have reported that individuals with a total score of 40 or higher have a high probability of having a dissociative disorder.

  At hospital admission (baseline)

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS)

  At hospital admission (baseline)

Study Arms (2)

Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder (FNSD)

Adult participants (18-65 years) with Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder (FNSD) according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision criteria. Participants will be evaluated at baseline. No intervention will be assigned by the study protocol. Clinical assessments in the FNSD group will include the Barkley's Adult Sluggish Cognitive Tempo Ratings Scale -Turkish Version, Somatoform Dissociation Questionnaire, Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Self-Report Scale. Sociodemographic and clinical data will be recorded for all participants.

Healthy Control (HC)

Healthy control (HC) adult participants (18-65 years) without any current or past psychiatric disorder will be enrolled in the study. No intervention will be administered as part of the research protocol. Participants will undergo a baseline clinical evaluation. Clinical assessments in the HC group will include the Barkley's Adult Sluggish Cognitive Tempo Ratings Scale -Turkish Version, Somatoform Dissociation Questionnaire, Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Self-Report Scale. Sociodemographic and clinical data will be recorded for all participants.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study population will consist of adult participants aged 18-65 years. The Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder (FNSD) group will include consecutive subjects diagnosed with FNSD according to DSM-5-TR criteria who will be admitted to the psychiatry clinic of Elazığ Mental Health and Diseases Hospital (Turkey). The healthy control (HC) group will consist of individuals from the general population who will apply to the hospital medical board and will have no current or past psychiatric or significant medical disorders. All participants will provide informed consent prior to enrollment.

You may qualify if:

• Meeting the diagnostic criteria for FNSD/CD according to DSM-5-TR at the time of admission
• Being between 18-65 years of age
• Absence of additional psychiatric disorders
• Absence of alcohol/substance use disorder
• Absence of neurological disorders affecting cognition
• Being in remission with FNSD/CD
• Completing sociodemographic data fully
• Willingness to complete the forms and scales.
• Willingness to participate in the study

You may not qualify if:

• Being under 18 or over 65 years of age
• Not meeting the diagnostic criteria for FNSD/CD according to DSM-5-TR
• Active alcohol/substance use
• Having neurological diseases affecting cognitive functions (such as Alzheimer's disease, delirium, Parkinson's disease)
• Not being willing to participate in the study
• Incomplete sociodemographic data
• Not being willing to complete forms and scales.
• Being between 18-65 years of age
• Not having any psychiatric disorder
• Not having an alcohol/substance use disorder
• Not having a neurological disorder affecting cognition
• Completing sociodemographic data in full
• Being willing to complete the forms and scales.
• Being willing to participate in the study
• Being under 18 or over 65 years of age

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Elazığ Mental Health and Diseases Hospital: lead

Study Sites (1)

Elazığ Mental Health and Diseases Hospital Psychiatry Clinic

Elâzığ, Elâzığ, 23200, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Conversion Disorder; Sluggish Cognitive Tempo; Dissociative Disorders

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Somatoform Disorders; Mental Disorders; Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders; Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Central Study Contacts

Mehmet Hamdi ÖRÜM, MD, Assoc Prof, Psychiatrist

CONTACT

+905382207558; mhorum@hotmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE CONTROL
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER GOV
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor Mehmet Hamdi Örüm, MD, Psychiatrist

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 28, 2026
• First Posted: March 5, 2026
• Study Start: March 9, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): August 21, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): August 21, 2026
• Last Updated: March 9, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL
• Time Frame: Data will be available beginning 6 months after publication and will remain available for 5 years.
• Access Criteria: Access will be granted to researchers who provide a methodologically sound proposal. Requests must be approved by the principal investigator and may require a data use agreement in accordance with institutional and ethical regulations.

Locations

TU (1)