A clap of thunder: could a hand clap diagnose seizures?

NCT ID NCT07742709

Ongoing Diagnosis Sponsor: Xijing Hospital Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Aug 03, 2026 · Last updated Aug 04, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This trial tests whether a sudden, loud hand clap can help doctors quickly tell apart epileptic seizures from psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES), which look similar but have different causes. About 400 people undergoing video-EEG monitoring will receive the clap test during a seizure episode, and their reactions will be recorded. The goal is to see if this simple, low-cost test can provide a fast and accurate diagnosis, potentially reducing the need for more complex procedures.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Abrupt Clap Provocation Test (a diagnostic procedure using a sudden loud hand-clap to observe reactions during seizures)
What this could lead to: If effective, this could provide a rapid, low-cost way to distinguish epileptic seizures from psychogenic non-epileptic seizures, improving diagnosis and treatment.
What could go wrong: The test's accuracy may vary, and it might not replace standard video-EEG monitoring. It's a single-center study, and results need confirmation in broader settings.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for EPILEPSY are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

conversion disorder epilepsy

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

EPILEPSY PSYCHOGENIC NON-EPILEPTIC SEIZURES

Contacts and locations

Locations

No.127 Changle West Road, Xincheng District, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710048, China

Shanxi, China
The First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University (Xijing Hospital)

Xian, Shanxi, China
The First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University (Xijing Hospital)

Shanxi, China

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.