Autonomic Patterns and Interoceptive Sensitivity in FND Patients
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring Autonomic Patterns and Interoceptive Sensitivity in relation to Symptom Severity for Patients in patients with Functional Neurological Disorder.
IRAS ID
343104
Contact name
Holly Mcmenamin
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Southampton university
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
0009-0001-6931-3377, ORCID
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 10 months, 5 days
Research summary
Psychological interventions for Functional neurological disorder (FND) have been established and report positive outcomes in how individuals manage their condition but have not demonstrated consistent effectiveness in symptom reduction. Most psychological interventions have used cognitive behavioural therapies that focus on helping individuals consider how their thoughts about their condition maybe impacting on their experience of it. This study would like to take an alternative approach by assessing participants current experience of their body as well as their nervous system functioning and how these may inform or contribute toward their FND symptoms.
This study will investigate autonomic nervous system patterns by asking participants about their experiences of different organs in their body, such as how often they notice their stomach rumbling. Additionally, a measure of heart rate variability, using a biofeedback device, will give an indication of nervous system function. Whilst the nervous system is complex, this research will focus on using simple self-report and physiological measures to inform nervous system states informed by Polyvagal theory. These are:
-Psychological safety: Body functioning in an optimal way (not over or under-aroused)
-Sympathetic Activation: ‘Fight/ flight’ where the body is preparing for danger
-Parasympathetic Shut down: The body prepares to survive by slowing everything down
Additionally, we will explore how well an individual understands what is happening in their body, this known as interoceptive sensitivity. This will be done using self-report measures and a heartbeat detection task.
Patients who have a diagnosis of FND and meet the eligibility criteria, will be invited to take part. There will be two phases to the study, with the first completing self-report questionnaires. These can be done online or on paper. The second phase will involve participants attending a 45-minute appointment at either Poole or Bournemouth hospital to complete the physiological measures. Data collection with will take place over an approximate period of 7 months.REC name
South Central - Berkshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/SC/0296
Date of REC Opinion
24 Sep 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion