Could EMDR therapy help calm the Brain's faulty signals?
NCT ID NCT05455450
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026
Summary
This study tested whether a therapy called EMDR (eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing) could help people with functional neurological disorder (FND), a condition where the brain doesn't send signals properly, causing symptoms like seizures, shaking, or weakness. Fifty adults with FND were randomly assigned to receive either EMDR plus routine care or routine care alone. The goal was to see if a larger trial is possible, not to prove the therapy works yet.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could point toward a new psychological treatment option for people with functional neurological disorder, potentially easing symptoms like seizures and weakness.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very early feasibility study with only 50 participants, not designed to prove effectiveness. The therapy may not work for everyone, and larger trials are needed to confirm any benefit.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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50 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Nov 2022
- Finished
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May 2025
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Predominant diagnosis of functional seizures and/or functional motor disorder, with diagnosis confirmed by neurologist 2. Aged 18 years or over 3. Capacity to consent 4. Willingness to attend regular psychological therapy sessions 5. Reporting at least 1 traumatic event on the International Trauma Exposure Measure Exclusion Criteria: 1. Non-English speaking 2. Current ongoing adversity that is likely to interfere with psychological therapy, e.g. domestic violence, homelessness, unresolved compensation claim/litigation 3. Predominant diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder\* 4. Predominant diagnosis of chronic pain condition\*, e.g. fibromyalgia 5. Predominant diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome\* 6. Diagnosis of a psychotic disorder 7. Diagnosis of Dissociative Identity Disorder or score in clinical range on "identity disturbance" subscale of Multiscale Dissociation inventory 8. Uncontrolled epileptic seizures 9. Diagnosis of an eating disorder 10. Current severe self harm or strong suicidal ideation that requires secondary care mental health services input 11. Current alcohol or drug harmful-use or dependence 12. Current diazepam use exceeding the equivalent of 10mg per day 13. Currently attending individual psychological therapy focused on functional neurological disorder or other specialist functional neurological disorder-specific treatment such as inpatient/outpatient multi-disciplinary treatment or intensive functional neurological disorder-specific physiotherapy * Comorbid diagnosis is acceptable, as long as functional neurological disorder is the predominant difficulty
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Neuropsychiatry Service
London, SW170QT, United Kingdom
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South West London & St George's NHS Trust
London, SW17 7DJ, United Kingdom
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.