Experiences of women with Functional Seizures during perinatal period.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring the lived experiences of women with functional seizures during the perinatal period.
IRAS ID
330733
Contact name
David McCormack
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Queen's University, Belfast
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 8 months, 30 days
Research summary
The proposed study intends to explore the lived experiences of women with functional seizures during the perinatal period. This will be achieved by completing semi-structured interviews with between six and ten participants. Data captured will be analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, a type of qualitative methodology suitable for exploring lived experience of a particular phenomenon. Functional seizures, also referred to as non-epileptic seizures, non-epileptic events, psychogenic seizures, or dissociative seizures, can be described as activity similar to that of an epileptic seizure, but without underlying bursts of electrical activity in the brain (Ricker, 2003). Functional seizures are part of a wider group of disorders termed functional neurological disorders, or FND. While a great deal of research exists exploring epilepsy and epileptic seizures during pregnancy, little to no research exists exploring functional seizures during pregnancy. During the perinatal period it is important that medical and psychological conditions are appropriately managed in order to ensure the best outcomes for both mother and infant. Pregnancy involves significant bodily and hormonal adjustment: considering the difficulties faced by those who experience functional seizures, we can hypothesise that the experience of functional seizures is likely to make pregnancy, more challenging. These considerations are important both from the perspective of the mother and infant. This project seeks to understand these experiences from the perspective of women who have lived through it. Participants will be recruited through a regional neurology clinic based in Northern Ireland. Participants will be female adults aged 18 years or over who have experience of functional seizures during pregnancy, and have given birth within the last 54 months. Participants will be asked to complete an interview lasting up to 90 minutes. The study will last for a period of three years.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 1
REC reference
23/WS/0161
Date of REC Opinion
5 Dec 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion