The Effect of Psychoeducational Diagnosis Communication on Perception of Illness, Satisfaction, and Behavioral Intentions Among Patients With Functional Neurological Movement Disorders

NCT07588282 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 1392/2025
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 35
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Functional neurological movement disorders are common conditions that can lead to significant limitations in daily life. They result from a functional disorder in the brain. A clear, understandable, and empathetic explanation of the diagnosis is a crucial first step in treatment. The purpose of this clinical study is to investigate how a clear and detailed explanation of the diagnosis of functional neurological movement disorders affects patients' understanding of their condition and their symptoms The investigators are interested in how well patients understand the diagnosis and the symptoms they experience as the disease progresses, as well as how the conversation between patient and doctor is experienced from both perspectives. In addition, as part of the study, a one-time examination using brain imaging (magnetic resonance imaging) will be conducted to better understand possible differences in brain function.

Conditions

Functional Movement Disorder; Functional Neurological Disorder

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (6)

• Illness Perception

  Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ-R), Range (min, max scores) varies by subscale (typically 1-5 per item), Higher scores indicate more negative perceptions.

  4 months (at each measurement point)

• Trust in the diagnosis

  3 questions whether participants trust the diagnosis

  From immediately post-intervention to the last follow up

• Doctor shopping intentions

  Question on whether participants intent to consult other physicians regarding their diagnosis in the future

  From post-intervention to the last follow up

• Symptom Burden of functional movement disorders

  Symptom-Functional Movement Disorder Rating Scale (S-FMDRS), Range: 0 - 60; higher scores mean greater symptom burden and severity

  at baseline and the pre-intervention

• Patient Global Impression of Severity / Change (PGI-S/C)

  standardized instrument to assess the subjective impression of disease severity and change with 3 items, rated on a likert scale from 1-5. Range of the full scale: 3-15 (higher values indicate higher severity of the disease)

  At baseline (severity), before the intervention (change), at the first follow up and at the second follow up)

• Clinician Global Impression of Severity / Change (CGI-S/C)

  standardized instrument for clinicians to assess the clinicians' impression of disease severity and change of the patient, with 3 items, rated on a likert scale from 1-5. Range of the full scale: 3-15 (higher values indicate higher severity of the disease)

  At baseline (severity), before the intervention (change), at the first follow up and at the second follow up)

Secondary Outcomes (7)

• Functional comorbidities

  at baseline

• Patient-reported outcome measures of functional neurological disorders

  at baseline, pre-intervention, 1st and 2nd follow up

• health-related quality of life

  baseline, pre-intervention and at the 1st follow up

• Remaining questions

  immediately after the intervention and at the first follow up

• Patient preferences

  immediately after the intervention and at the first follow up

Study Arms (1)

Standardized FND Psychoeducation Guideline

EXPERIMENTAL

Behavioral: Psychoeducational communication guide for first-diagnosis of FND

Interventions

Psychoeducational communication guide for first-diagnosis of FND BEHAVIORAL

The intervention is a structured communication protocol used by physicians to provide a systematic, evidence-based explanation of the diagnosis to patients with Functional Movement Disorders (FMD). The primary goal is to foster a common understanding of the condition, validate the patient's experience, and establish a foundation for active rehabilitation. The psychoeducational session follows a 14-step framework designed to address the clinical, neurological, and psychological dimensions of the disorder

Standardized FND Psychoeducation Guideline

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 80 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Presence of any of the following functional movement disorders:
• Functional paralysis
• Functional seizures
• Functional tremor
• Functional drop attacks
• Functional dystonia
• Functional twitching
• Functional facial symptoms
• Functional tics
• Functional parkinsonism

You may not qualify if:

• The patient is unable to give informed consent.
• The patient is temporarily unable to give informed consent.
• The patient does not have sufficiently understand German language to answer the questionnaires (the questionnaires are available only in German).

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Medical University of Graz: lead

Study Sites (1)

Medical University of Graz

Graz, 8036, Austria

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Conversion Disorder

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Somatoform Disorders; Mental Disorders

Central Study Contacts

Maria Schneller

CONTACT

004331638580395; maria.schneller@medunigraz.at

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: Following an initial baseline assessment (T0), all participants undergo a four-week waiting period without intervention, which serves as an intra-individual control condition.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 5, 2026
• First Posted: May 14, 2026
• Study Start: March 31, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): July 31, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2027
• Last Updated: May 14, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Locations

AU (1)