Phase 4
Completed N=38
Treatments for Psychogenic Nonepileptic Seizures (NES)
Convulsion, Non-Epileptic · Conversion Disorder · Depression · Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00159965 ↗
Enrolled (actual)
38
Serious AEs
0.0%
Results posted
Jan 2011
Primary outcomePrimary: Number of Nonepileptic Seizures (NES) — 5.0; 6.0; 3.0; 6.0 seizures — p=0.29
Summary
The investigators propose that treatment of the comorbid disorders (depression, anxiety, and impulsivity) with sertraline in patients with lone psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (NES), will result in a decreased number of NES. The purpose of this study is to provide pilot testing and data to inform the future randomized controlled trial based on the hypothesis.
Outcome Measures
| Outcome | Result | p-value |
|---|---|---|
| PRIMARY Number of Nonepileptic Seizures (NES) |
5.0; 6.0; 3.0; 6.0; 2.0; 5.0 | 0.29 |
| SECONDARY Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) |
16.7; 22.1; 11.7; 17.0 | >0.05 |
| SECONDARY Modified Hamilton Depression Scale (MHRS) |
17.8; 16.8; 11.6; 13.3 | >0.05 |
| SECONDARY Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) |
53.3; 49.1; 56.8; 52.0 | >0.05 |
| SECONDARY Davidson Trauma Scale (DTS) |
52.5; 48.1; 40.3; 43.4 | >0.05 |
| SECONDARY Barratt Impulsivity Scale (BIS) |
57.8; 72.6; 64.9; 66.2 | >0.05 |
| SECONDARY Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES) |
21.0; 17.4; 8.5; 12.1 | >0.05 |
| SECONDARY Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90) |
84.9; 109.4; 78.9; 91.4 | >0.05 |
| SECONDARY Oxford Handicap Scale (OHS) |
3.1; 3.4; 2.3; 2.6 | >0.05 |
| SECONDARY Clinical Global Impressions - Severity (CGI-S) |
4.9; 5.1; 3.3; 3.9 | >0.05 |
| SECONDARY Clinical Global Impressions - Improvement (CGI-I) |
2.9; 3.5 | >0.05 |
| SECONDARY Family Assessment Device (FAD) |
2.0; 2.0; 2.0; 2.2 | >0.05 |
| SECONDARY Longitudinal Interval Follow-Up Evaluation Range of Impaired Functioning Tool (LIFE-RIFT) |
11.8; 13.9; 11.8; 13.8 | >0.05 |
| SECONDARY Quality of Life in Epilepsy-31 (QOLIE-31) |
48.4; 38.2; 56.7; 46.9 | >0.05 |
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- Video electroencephalogram (vEEG) confirmed diagnosis of NES
- Have at least one nonepileptic seizure per month
- Comorbid diagnosis of either depression, anxiety, or post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Able to complete self report symptom scales
- Not receiving optimized antidepressant medication
Exclusion Criteria
- Equivocal electroencephalogram (EEG) findings
- Current suicidality, litigation, or self-mutilation
- Using monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), pimozide, or sumatriptan
- Allergy/sensitivity to sertraline
- Current alcohol/drug dependence
- Serious medical illness requiring current hospitalization
Data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT00159965). Outcome figures and adverse-event rates are extracted automatically from the registry's posted results and are provided for clinician reference, not as a substitute for the primary publication. Informational only — not medical advice.