Yoga therapy for functional neurological disorder
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN73085690 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN73085690 |
| ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT) | Nil known |
| Clinical Trials Information System (CTIS) | Nil known |
| Protocol serial number | Nil known |
| Sponsor | King's College London |
| Funder | Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London |
- Submission date
- 06/02/2025
- Registration date
- 13/02/2025
- Last edited
- 15/09/2025
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Nervous System Diseases
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
Functional neurological disorder (FND) is characterised by neurological symptoms, such as limb weakness or non-epileptic seizures, that cannot be explained by identifiable neurological pathology. Issues with bodily awareness, like sensing internal bodily signals (known as interoception) might contribute to the development or maintenance of FND symptoms. Difficulties in emotional awareness and regulation are also considered to be key factors contributing to FND. Brain scanning studies have revealed disruptions in brain networks responsible for processing bodily sensations and emotions. These insights highlight the potential of mind-body approaches, like yoga, to help manage the disorder.
Somatic yoga, which uses gentle movements, breathing exercises, and mindfulness, aims to enhance the connection between mind and body. Evidence suggests that yoga-based therapies can improve physical and emotional well-being. For instance, research shows that yoga can reduce stress, improve mood, and positively influence overall well-being by balancing physiological and psychological processes. Some initial research has reported positive outcomes for individuals with neurological conditions, including enhancements in brain function and neuroplasticity. Studies have demonstrated that yoga can be an effective adjunct therapy for neurological issues, supporting better brain connectivity and function. Additionally, yoga interventions have shown promise for a range of mental health disorders, contributing to reduced anxiety and depression and improved emotional regulation. A recent case series demonstrated that a tailored yoga intervention was associated with reduced symptom severity and better overall quality of life for people with FND.
Despite these encouraging findings, there are still significant research gaps. Specifically, we need more evidence on how somatic practices, such as yoga therapy, might influence the brain-body connection, including bodily awareness and emotional regulation processes in FND, and whether such approaches might result in improved symptoms, general functioning, and quality of life in people with the diagnosis.
This study seeks to address these gaps and contribute to a better understanding of effective interventions for FND. It will explore the feasibility, acceptability and potential benefits of a novel somatic yoga intervention, tailored for people diagnosed with FND.
Who can participate?
Patients with FND who are currently affected by motor, seizure and/or sensory symptoms, who are over 18 years old, who do not have additional neurological diagnoses, and who do not currently experience severe mental health symptoms. Participants must not be currently undergoing another similar intervention during their participation in the study.
What does the study involve?
Participants will be randomly allocated to either the somatic yoga programme or to a music relaxation programme. All participants will attend an initial in-person laboratory testing session at the start of their participation and a final laboratory session after the 6-week study period. At these visits, participants in the yoga programme group will complete an individual yoga session with a yoga therapist, whereas participants in the music programme group will complete a music relaxation session.
Between these sessions, participants in the yoga group will take part in guided, individualised weekly somatic yoga sessions conducted online and will also receive a customised manual to support regular home practice. The music programme group will be asked to undertake self-guided focused, music relaxation sessions, with a manual and playlists provided by the research team. The therapist will contact participants weekly to monitor their wellbeing.
The programmes will be evaluated using self-report questionnaires at the start, middle and end of the intervention, as well as at 3-month follow-up. Lab-based measures will taken at the start and end of the programmes. Participants will also be invited to participate in brief interviews at the end of the study to obtain feedback on their experiences.
What are the potential benefits and risks of taking part?
All participants who complete the study will receive the yoga intervention or the music relaxation programme. As such, participating in this project will provide participants with a new experience which may be beneficial to them. However, these benefits cannot be guaranteed.
There are few risks involved in this study. However, it is possible that participants might experience mild discomfort or FND symptoms during the yoga sessions. We will ensure that movements are gentle and adaptable to participants' needs, and they will be encouraged to stop or modify any activity that feels uncomfortable. Participants will be able to take a break at any time.
It is also possible that some of the questionnaires might touch upon potentially sensitive or distressing topics, including aspects of physical and mental health, and difficult life events. The laboratory sessions might be challenging and/or unfamiliar to some participants, which could result in some degree of discomfort. Participants will have the option to decline any part of the study without giving a reason, and they will also be reminded of the right to withdraw from the study, or any aspect of it, at any time. If a participant experiences any distress or discomfort, support will be provided by the research team.
Where is the study run from?
King's College London (UK)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
November 2024 to September 2025
Who is funding the study?
King's College London (UK)
Who is the main contact?
1. The research team, yoga4fnd@kcl.ac.uk
2. Dr Susannah Pick, susannah.pick@kcl.ac.uk
Contact information
Public, Scientific, Principal investigator
Department of Psychological Medicine
Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience
King's College London
London
SE5 8AF
United Kingdom
 ORCID ID |
0000-0003-2001-6723 |
|---|---|
| Phone | +44 (0) 7881 230 244 |
| susannah.pick@kcl.ac.uk |
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | Single-centre open-label feasibility randomized controlled trial (interventional) |
| Secondary study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Study type | Participant information sheet |
| Scientific title | Somatic yoga therapy for functional neurological disorder: a feasibility study |
| Study acronym | Yoga4FND |
| Study objectives | This study explores the feasibility, acceptability and potential benefits of a novel somatic yoga intervention, tailored for people diagnosed with functional neurological disorder (FND). This study will assess feasibility by examining engagement and completion rates, in addition to obtaining participants’ feedback on their experiences of the intervention and the study procedures. This study will also examine whether the intervention has the potential to reduce FND symptoms and improve bodily awareness, emotional processing and reactivity, as well as overall well-being and functioning in this group. It is hypothesised that the yoga intervention will be associated with greater improvements in these areas, as well as better regulation of the body’s autonomic responses, such as heart rate and stress reactions, compared to the music relaxation control programme. |
| Ethics approval(s) |
Approved 28/03/2025, King's College London Health Faculties High Risk Research Ethics Committee (King's College London, Research Ethics Office, 3rd Floor, 5-11 Lavington St., London, SE1 0NZ, United Kingdom; +44 (0)20 7836 5454; rec@kcl.ac.uk), ref: HR/DP-24/25-46075 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Functional neurological disorder (FND) |
| Intervention | Current interventions as of 01/04/2025: Participants will be randomised on a 1:1 basis using an online randomisation tool to either the somatic yoga programme (active) or to a music relaxation programme (control). All participants will attend an initial in-person laboratory testing session at the start of their participation and a final laboratory session after the 6-week study period. At these visits, participants in the yoga programme group will complete an individual yoga session with a yoga therapist, whereas participants in the music programme group will complete a music relaxation session. Between these sessions, participants in the yoga group will take part in guided, individualised weekly somatic yoga sessions conducted online and will also receive a customised manual to support regular home practice. The music programme group will be asked to undertake self-guided focused, music relaxation sessions, with a manual and playlists provided by the research team. The therapist will contact participants weekly to monitor their wellbeing. The programmes will be evaluated using self-report questionnaires taken at the start, middle and end of the programmes, in addition to a 3-month follow-up. Lab-based measures will be taken at the start and end of the interventions. Participants will also be invited to participate in brief interviews at the end of the study to obtain feedback on their experiences. _____ Previous interventions: Participants will be randomised on a 1:1 basis using an online randomisation tool to either the somatic yoga programme (active) or to a music relaxation programme (control). All participants will attend an initial in-person laboratory testing session at the start of their participation and a final laboratory session after the 6-week study period. At these visits, participants in the yoga programme group will complete an individual yoga session with a yoga therapist, whereas participants in the music programme group will complete a music relaxation session. Between these sessions, participants in the yoga group will take part in guided, individualised weekly somatic yoga sessions conducted online and will also receive a customised manual to support regular home practice. The music programme group will be asked to undertake self-guided focused, music relaxation sessions, with a manual and playlists provided by the research team. The therapist will contact participants weekly to monitor their wellbeing. The programmes will be evaluated using self-report questionnaires and lab-based measures taken at the start and end of the programmes. Participants will also be invited to participate in brief interviews at the end of the study to obtain feedback on their experiences. |
| Intervention type | Other |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
Feasibility: |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
Current secondary outcome measures as of 01/04/2025: |
| Completion date | 30/09/2025 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Other |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Lower age limit | 18 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 30 |
| Total final enrolment | 30 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. Aged 18 years or older 2. Normal or corrected eyesight 3. Fluency in English language 4. A primary diagnosis of FND* with motor symptoms, seizures, sensory symptoms or mixed symptoms *FND diagnosis will be validated by asking the participants to provide proof of diagnosis in the form of an existing medical letter from a qualified healthcare professional |
| Key exclusion criteria | 1. Comorbid diagnosis of major cardiovascular (e.g., heart disease), psychiatric (e.g., active psychosis, severe alcohol or substance use disorder) or neurological (e.g., epilepsy, multiple sclerosis) disorder that would either confound the findings or impair the participant’s ability to participate 2. Physical symptoms/disability impairing ability to perform tasks or attend the in-person therapy sessions (e.g., severe tremor, upper/lower limb paralysis, seizure frequency >10 per day) 3. Functional cognitive symptoms only 4. Currently undergoing another body-based intervention for FND* *Participants already engaging in body-based (e.g., yoga, acupuncture) or music-based therapies (self- or therapist-guided) will be asked to abstain from these sessions during this study. If unfeasible, participants will be excluded from the current study. |
| Date of first enrolment | 01/02/2025 |
| Date of final enrolment | 30/06/2025 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- United Kingdom
- England
Study participating centre
Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience
16 De Crespigny Park
London
SE5 8AZ
United Kingdom
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | Yes |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Available on request |
| IPD sharing plan | The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study will be available on request to Dr Susannah Pick (susannah.pick@kcl.ac.uk) |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
Editorial Notes
15/09/2025: The total final enrolment was added.
01/04/2025: The following changes were made to the trial record:
1. The ethics approval was added.
2. The interventions were changed.
3. The secondary outcome measures were changed.
4. The plain English summary was updated to reflect these changes.
06/02/2025: Study's existence confirmed by King's College London, Research Ethics Office.
