CBT therapy for Dystonia
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring the feasibility of an internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy programme as a non-pharmaceutical therapeutic intervention for people diagnosed with primary dystonia
IRAS ID
268623
Contact name
Kathryn Peall
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Velindre Cancer Centre
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 10 months, 2 days
Research summary
Dystonia is one of the most common forms of movement disorder, involving co-contraction of antagonistic muscle groups, leading to abnormal and painful postures. Psychiatric symptoms, including anxiety and depression, are also recognized as primary components of the disorder phenotype, however often go unrecognized and under treated, with treatment access limited by the availability and resource of psychological treatment programmes.\nFunded by the Jacques and Gloria Gossweiler Foundation, we aim to determine if use of a guided, internet-based self-help Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) programme is feasible to use in the management of psychiatric symptoms in individuals diagnosed with dystonia.\nForty participants >18 years of age with a diagnosis of cervical dystonia and evidence of moderate or severe symptoms of anxiety and/or depression will be recruited from the Global Myoclonus Dystonia Registry and Dystonia Non-Motor Symptom Study.\nBaseline assessments will include additional measurements of depression and anxiety, together with a video-taped standardised clinical examination for assessment of motor symptoms. Twenty individuals randomized into the treatment arm will receive an introduction to the ‘Space for Anxiety and Depression’ module of the SilverCloud online CBT programme. All participants will receive their routine neurotoxin treatment at their standard 12-week interval. The control arm will receive no other intervention.\nParticipants in both groups will undergo a comprehensive battery of non-motor and motor assessments at 12, 24 and 36-weeks post-treatment initiation to determine short- and longer-term effect of the treatment.\nDemonstration that use of an online CBT programme is feasible within this patient group would form a platform for further work exploring the efficacy of treatment, and potential progression to a phase III clinical trial. This form of therapy could have a profound effect on the model of care offered to patients with movement disorders, widening access to provide an effective intervention.\n
REC name
Wales REC 3
REC reference
19/WA/0265
Date of REC Opinion
9 Oct 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion