Breathing control training as a treatment for functional seizures (BREATHS trial): a multicentre, assessor-blinded, randomised controlled efficacy and acceptability trial study protocol.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Functional seizures (FS) are events that resemble epileptic seizures, but are not attributed to brain pathology and are instead thought to be due to psychological factors. A small, multisite, open-label, single-arm, pilot trial of a breathing intervention known as breathing control training (BCT) found it to be safe and effective in reducing seizure frequency in FS. We propose a protocol for a study to confirm these results.

Methods and analysis

A 24-week, multicentre, individually-randomised, assessor-blinded, two-arm, parallel-group efficacy and acceptability trial of BCT versus control (Befriending) in 220 participants ≥16 years of age with FS. Eligible participants will be randomly allocated to receive two sessions of either BCT or Befriending over a 4-week

SUBMITTER: Kanaan R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12863316 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature