Combining Physical and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Treating Functional Movement Disorders

Functional neurological disorders (FNDs), historically referred to as conversion or psychogenic disorders, are frequently seen in young adults and have a major effect on health systems. The etiology of FNDs remains unclear as they cannot be explained by diagnostic tests (JAMA Neurol 2018; 75:1132). Psychological factors appear to be a risk factor, and psychological interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), combined with physiotherapy, appear to show positive results. However, randomized trial data are sparse. In this double-arm, parallel, assessor-blinded, randomized clinical trial, investigators compared a multidisciplinary approach integrating specialized physical therapy with a brief CBT program against a control interven…