Could a clear diagnosis talk change how patients feel about their condition?

NCT ID NCT07588282

Knowledge-focused Sponsor: Medical University of Graz Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tests whether a structured, empathetic explanation of a functional neurological movement disorder diagnosis helps patients understand their illness better and feel more satisfied. About 35 adults with conditions like functional tremor or seizures will receive the special communication guide from their doctor. Researchers will measure changes in illness perception, trust, and whether patients seek second opinions.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: Psychoeducational communication guide
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a better way to deliver diagnoses that improves patient understanding and trust.
What could go wrong: This is a very small, early study with only 35 participants and no control group, so results may not apply widely. It tests communication, not a treatment.

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

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

About 35 people

The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.

Started

Mar 2026

Expected to finish

Dec 2027

An estimate. End dates often move.

Lead sponsor

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

18 to 80 years

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

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

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * Presence of any of the following functional movement disorders: * Functional paralysis * Functional seizures * Functional tremor * Functional drop attacks * Functional dystonia * Functional twitching * Functional facial symptoms * Functional tics * Functional parkinsonism Exclusion Criteria: * The patient is unable to give informed consent. * The patient is temporarily unable to give informed consent. * The patient does not have sufficiently understand German language to answer the questionnaires (the questionnaires are available only in German).

Get updates

Get notified about this study

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

Vår säkerhetsrekommendation!

Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

conversion disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Functional movement disorder Functional neurological disorder

How to take part

Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.

The places running it

1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
The official record

ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.

Open the record ↗
A doctor treating you

A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.

Could a clear diagnosis talk change how patients feel about their condition?

What the study statuses mean