Home › NCT07316543

Cognitive Rehabilitation for Veterans With PNES

Cognitive and Functional Telehealth-based Assessment and Intervention in Veterans With Psychogenic Nonepileptic Seizures

Who can join

Ages 18 and older · All sexes

Inclusion Criteria:

* U.S. Veteran
* able to provide informed consent
* reports cognitive difficulties
* prior video EEG diagnosis of PNES
* English speaking
* able to read at least at 8th grade level
* access to a private space with a computer (13-inch monitor)
* internet access

Exclusion Criteria:

* acute psychosis (hallucinations or delusions)
* current active suicidality
* a diagnosis of dementia or intellectual disability
* sensory impairment (e.g., deafness) that would preclude participation

About the study

Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) reflect a subtype of functional neurological disorder (FND) that is common and extremely disabling in Veterans. Cognitive problems are highly prevalent in PNES, they reduce quality of life, and they severely limit daily functioning. Currently, there are no available treatments that target cognition to improve daily function in PNES or other FNDs, leaving a major gap in the literature. Cognitive re-habilitation improves daily functioning in Veterans with related neuropsychiatric disorders and has a high chance of success in Veterans with PNES. The proposed study will solicit direct input from Veterans with PNES via qualitative interviews to inform the design of a cognitive treatment workbook. The workbook will then be iteratively refined based on participatory feedback from Veterans with PNES and their treatment providers. The full cognitive intervention protocol will be pilot tested to inform a fully powered RCT. Results will support a line of research that aims to improve cognition and function in Veterans with PNES and related FNDs.

What is being tested

• Cognitive Rehabilitation And Functional Treatment (CRAFT) (behavioral)

Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development · Participants: 47 · Started: Mar 2, 2026

Contact the study team

• Madeleine R Lefkowitz, BS · Phone: (401) 127-7100
• Alison Gorbatov · Phone: (401) 271-7100

Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT07316543

Locations in the U.S.

From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Sep 30, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.