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BRAVE-FND v1.0

Overview

We are inviting people with functional neurological disorder (FND) to take part in an exciting new research study at King’s College Hospital. The BRAVE-FND study is testing a type of rehabilitation that uses a brain-computer interface (BCI) – a headset that measures brain activity – along with gentle electrical stimulation and virtual reality (VR). This therapy has shown promise in stroke recovery and is now being trialled for the first time in FND.
FND is a condition where the brain struggles to send and receive signals to and from the body, leading to symptoms such as limb weakness, tremors, or gait problems. We want to find out if BCI rehabilitation can improve how people with FND experience control over their movements – something known as “sense of agency”.
If you join the study, you will attend 10 in-person sessions at King’s College Hospital over 3 to 4 weeks. The sessions include BCI therapy, VR tasks, brain activity recording (EEG), and questionnaires. The first and last visits take about 3 hours, and the others around 90 minutes. You’ll be supported throughout by our friendly research team, and all the equipment we use is non-invasive.
We’re looking for adults aged 18 to 60 who have been diagnosed with FND with motor symptoms such as limb weakness. You’ll need to be able to travel to Denmark Hill, London, for 10 sessions and be registered with a UK GP.
While we can’t offer payment for your time, we will cover your reasonable travel expenses for each visit. You’ll also be helping advance research into better treatments for FND.

Interested in taking part in this study? Fill out this form

Planned end date

31 Jan 2028 10:50

Conditions

Neurological Disorders

Inclusion Criteria

  1. Diagnosis of motor FND (with limb weakness as the main disabling symptom) from a neurologist and/or neuropsychiatrist as per DSM-5 criteria.
  2. Moderate or severe symptoms (≥4 on Clinical Global Impression Severity (CGI-S) scale)
  3. Able to tolerate VR and BCI use.
  4. Age 18 – 60 years.

Exclusion Criteria

  1. Current diagnosis of epilepsy, severe depression, bipolar disorder, psychotic disorder, personality disorder, or drug/alcohol dependence/harmful use (defined as meeting DSM-5 criteria) (Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview [MINI] 7.0). Positive diagnoses on the MINI will be subject to confirmation at clinical interview by a psychiatrist.
  2. Current diagnosis of epilepsy, autistic spectrum disorder, dementia, learning disability (defined as meeting DSM-5 criteria) based on clinical interview by a psychiatrist.
  3. Current diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorder interfering with ability to follow study protocol.
  4. A comorbid organic neurological condition which explains the majority of their symptoms or disability.
  5. The patient has pain, fatigue or dissociative seizures that would interfere with their ability to engage in VR or BCI sessions.*
  6. Currently prescribed any medication that would impact upon their ability to take part in VR or BCI sessions.
  7. A pacemaker, implantable cardioverter-defibrillator or any other implanted electronic or metallic device.
  8. Current pregnancy.
  9. Any other factor which would render the participant unsuitable for FES.
  10. Non-registration with a GP or failure to consent to sharing of the GP summary care record and any psychiatric assessments held.
  11. Those enrolled in another clinical or research study.
  12. Those unable to give informed consent.

*Pain, fatigue and dissociative seizures are not absolute exclusions. Based on previous research we expect most participants to experience persistent pain and fatigue to various degrees. The participant is only excluded if these symptoms are judged to be likely to prevent them from engaging with the intervention.

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