The use of acceptance and commitment therapy in managing psychological symptoms in paediatric functional non-epileptic attacks: A clinical report

• Published in: Clinical child psychology and psychiatry Vol. 28; no. 3; pp. 1072 - 1079
• Main Authors: Byrne, Gary, Connon, Graham
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.07.2023; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Acceptance; Acceptance and commitment therapy; Convulsions & seizures; Medical prognosis; Pediatrics; Psychological flexibility; Psychological problems; paediatric functional non-epileptic attacks; functional disorders; acceptance and commitment therapy
• ISSN: 1359-1045; 1461-7021
• DOI: 10.1177/13591045221143553

Functional non-epileptic attacks (FNEA) are seizure like activities that occur without any organic cause. Although a debilitating and costly disorder, there is much debate within the clinical literature on the causes and prognosis of FNEA, as well as possible effective psychological interventions. This is especially true for FNEA occurring in paediatric populations. Limited evidence to date suggests that acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) shows promise and has pragmatic benefits in the context of functional disorders for adults. This case study provides information of a brief (8-session) ACT protocol targeting FNEA and associated emotional difficulties in a 12-year child. Treatment aimed to promote psychological flexibility and reduce functional interference of FNEA symptoms using ACT consistent techniques. Post-treatment, the child demonstrated reliable/clinical recovery in psychological flexibility, symptom interference and anxiety, as well as a marked reduction in the frequency of FNEA episodes. The majority of these gains were evidenced at 5-month follow-up. Such promising findings need to be tempered by methodological considerations.