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Lifestyle Interventions for Epilepsy (LIFE Trial)

N/A
Recruiting
Led By Imad Najm, MD
Research Sponsored by Imad Najm MD
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial
Must have
Ability to independently provide informed consent
Adult (ages 18-75) patients of the Cleveland Clinic Charles Shor Epilepsy Center with a confirmed diagnosis of epilepsy
Must not have
Musicogenic epilepsy or seizures
Significant hearing loss
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up 3-12 months from beginning of intervention
Awards & highlights

Summary

This trial will test if behavior and wellness interventions can reduce seizure frequency for adult patients with medication resistant epilepsy.

Who is the study for?
Adults aged 18-75 with medication-resistant epilepsy, experiencing at least one seizure a month, can join this study. They must be able to consent and participate in yoga, music therapy or CBT without changing their seizure meds. Excluded are those with non-epileptic seizures, recent similar therapy, other trials' participation, serious chronic illnesses that affect safety in the study, intensive treatments like chemotherapy, pregnancy/postpartum status within six weeks.
What is being tested?
The trial is testing if yoga, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), or music can help reduce seizures in adults who don't respond well to epilepsy drugs. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of these interventions and monitored for changes in their seizure frequency.
What are the potential side effects?
Since the interventions involve lifestyle changes such as yoga and music therapy rather than medications there may not be typical side effects; however participants might experience muscle soreness from physical activity or emotional discomfort during CBT.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below
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I can understand and agree to the study on my own.
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I am between 18 and 75 years old and have been diagnosed with epilepsy by the Cleveland Clinic.
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I don't expect to change my seizure medication soon.
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I have had at least one seizure in the last 30 days.

Exclusion Criteria

You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:
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I have seizures triggered by music.
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I have significant hearing loss.
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I am not currently undergoing intense treatments like chemotherapy that would affect my participation.
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I have had seizures that are not caused by epilepsy.
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I am scheduled for epilepsy surgery within the next 6 months.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~3-12 months from beginning of intervention
This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and 3-12 months from beginning of intervention for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.
Primary study objectives
Seizures
Secondary study objectives
Change in Stress
Quality of Life with Epilepsy

Side effects data

From 2021 Phase 4 trial • 12 Patients • NCT04135937
8%
irritability
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
Study treatment Arm
MESH

Trial Design

5Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Group I: YogaExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
The goal for the yoga intervention is to provide participants with instructor-guided safe, gentle yoga focused on meditation, breathing exercises, and mindfulness techniques to promote well-being and stress reduction. We aim for participants to utilize the skills and strategies taught through this intervention to reduce seizure frequency, anxiety symptoms, disability, and improve quality of life. Participants enrolled in the Yoga intervention group will receive one month of Instructor-Guided 70-minute virtual live yoga classes, twice per week, led by an experienced yoga therapist and co-instructor. During Months 2-3 participants in the Yoga Intervention will receive one 70-minute virtual live yoga class per week. Each session will have a set of specific poses, breathing exercises, meditation, and yoga philosophies developed by our yoga experts.
Group II: MusicExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
The aim of this intervention is for participants to learn and develop skills to reduce stress which may, in turn, decrease seizure frequency and improve quality of life. Participants will be exposed to a variety of ways that they might incorporate music into their daily lives as a means of self-expression, coping, and stress reduction. Participants enrolled in the Music Intervention group will receive one month of Instructor-Guided Intervention 70-minute virtual live music therapy sessions, twice per week, led by an experienced music therapist and co-instructor. An two months of a 70-minute virtual live music therapy session once per week.
Group III: Cognitive Behavioral TherapyExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
The goal of the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) intervention is to provide patients with psycho-educational and behavioral health strategies to promote seizure prevention and stress management skills. We aim for participants to utilize the skills and strategies taught through this intervention to reduce seizure frequency, depression and anxiety symptoms, disability and improve quality of life. Participants enrolled in the CBT intervention group will receive 3 months of Instructor-Guided 90-minute, virtual group counseling session, once per week, led by a psychologist and a co-therapist.
Group IV: Standard of CareActive Control1 Intervention
Participants randomized to the Standard of Care Control Group will receive their usual standard epilepsy care. For Months 1-3 participants will receive weekly online surveys as well as brief monthly calls checking-in and collecting their seizure frequency. Participants will continue to receive brief monthly calls for checking-in and collection of seizure frequency Months 4-12. Upon completion of the study, participants will receive access to online materials for all intervention modalities if they wish.
Group V: Enhanced Standard of CareActive Control1 Intervention
Participants randomized to the Enhanced Standard of Care Control Group will receive their usual standard epilepsy care and weekly scheduled, scripted, follow-up phone calls from a study team member to check-in on their health, epilepsy management, and seizure frequency. Upon completion of the study, participants will receive access to online materials for all intervention modalities if they wish.
Treatment
First Studied
Drug Approval Stage
How many patients have taken this drug
Yoga
2008
Completed Phase 3
~3830
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
2016
Completed Phase 4
~3120
Music
2013
Completed Phase 3
~1810

Find a Location

Who is running the clinical trial?

Imad Najm MDLead Sponsor
The Cleveland ClinicLead Sponsor
1,045 Previous Clinical Trials
1,369,675 Total Patients Enrolled
Imad Najm, MDPrincipal InvestigatorThe Cleveland Clinic

Media Library

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Clinical Trial Eligibility Overview. Trial Name: NCT05283200 — N/A
Lifestyle Research Study Groups: Yoga, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Music, Standard of Care, Enhanced Standard of Care
Lifestyle Clinical Trial 2023: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Highlights & Side Effects. Trial Name: NCT05283200 — N/A
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy 2023 Treatment Timeline for Medical Study. Trial Name: NCT05283200 — N/A
~340 spots leftby Feb 2026
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