Short-term effect of inpatient treatment of psychogenic non-epileptic seizures
Sigge Weisdorf & Mads Henrik Ravnborg
Danish Medical Journal (2025)
- CBT, Functional Seizures
- Clinical Study, Research Translation
Key Takeaways
- Four weeks of inpatient cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) eased depression, anxiety, stress and illness perception for adults with PNES.
- Benefits were the same whether or not a person also had epilepsy, suggesting one programme can serve mixed populations.
- This is the largest inpatient PNES cohort to date (122 patients), adding weight to earlier, smaller studies.
- Gains appeared after just one month—much shorter than the multi-month stays used elsewhere.
- Future research needs longer follow-up and seizure-frequency tracking to confirm durability.
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Overview
Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) fall under the Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) umbrella. This Danish study looked at whether a four-week inpatient CBT programme could quickly improve quality-of-life and mental-health measures for adults living with PNES (with or without epilepsy).
Discussion
Who took part? 122 adults (86 % women, average age ≈ 34) admitted between 2018–2023; 34 % also had epilepsy and 67 % had at least one psychiatric condition.
Intervention:
- Four-week weekday admission at a national epilepsy centre
- Daily group and individual CBT-based sessions led by specially trained staff
- Weekends spent at home to practise skills
Outcomes measured at admission and discharge:
- Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II)
- Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI)
- Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10)
- Quality of Life in Epilepsy (QOLIE-31)
- Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (B-IPQ)
Results: Significant improvement across all scores for the whole group; epilepsy status did not change the size of the gains.
Limitations: Retrospective design, no seizure-count data, and no long-term follow-up mean we can’t tell how lasting the benefits are.
Next Steps
If you (or someone you support) live with PNES/FND, consider:
- Ask about structured CBT programmes. Inpatient or intensive outpatient options may exist at regional epilepsy or neuro-rehabilitation centres.
- Discuss length of stay. This study’s four-week model suggests shorter admissions can still help.
- Track your own mood and stress. Simple paper or app check-ins using the same scales (BDI, BAI, PSS) can show progress.
- Prepare questions for your neurologist or therapist:
- “Do you partner with centres that offer intensive CBT?”
- “How will we measure treatment success beyond seizure counts?”
- Stay hopeful. Many people saw meaningful improvements in just one month—small steps add up.
Reference
Weisdorf S, Ravnborg MH. Short-term effect of inpatient treatment of psychogenic non-epileptic seizures. Dan Med J. 2025;72(5):A06240385. doi:10.61409/A06240385
https://content.ugeskriftet.dk/sites/default/files/2025-02/a06240385-supplementary.pdf
This summary is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, financial, or legal advice. It is not intended to replace professional consultation or treatment. Always consult qualified healthcare providers regarding your specific circumstances, symptoms, or questions.