Study

Understanding How Functional Neurologic Disorder Affects Movement

This study aims to learn more about activity behavior in people with Functional Neurologic Disorder (FND). You will wear a device called an accelerometer and talk with the study team to help researchers learn how FND may affect your daily activities and experiences.

Why this Research Matters

Functional Neurologic Disorder (FND) is a health problem that affects how the brain and body work together. This can make daily activities harder and affect a person's health and well-being. Researchers will use information from the accelerometers and interviews to learn more about how FND may affect activity behavior. They will also compare these results with other tools used to measure FND. This study will include people with and without FND to help researchers better understand the results. If you have FND and qualify for the study, you will take part in two study visits. During the first in-person visit, you will do tests often used in physical therapy. These may involve standing up from a chair, walking, turning around, having a standard neurological exam, and answering questions about your FND symptoms. While doing these tests, you will wear accelerometers on your ankles, wrists, and breastbone. These devices will help the study team measure your movements and learn more about how you walk. This visit will last about 1.5 hours. After the visit, you will wear an activity-monitoring device for 7 days. Your second visit will take place virtually and will last about 1 hour. During this visit, you will answer questions about your experience with FND and how it may affect your activity behavior. If you qualify for the study as a healthy control, meaning you do not have FND, you will go to the one in-person visit. During this visit, you will do the walking tests while wearing accelerometers. You will also answer questionnaires and wear an activity-monitoring device for 7 days after the visit. You will be in this study for about 2 weeks. There is no cost to take part in the study. If you have FND, you can get up to $100 when you finish both study visits. If you do not have FND, you can get up to $50 for doing the single study visit.

Who can Participate

Adult

You may be able to join this study if you are 18 to 65 years old. You may either have FND or be a healthy adult without FND or some other neurological condition.