Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42226608›Full record

ArticleBJPsych open2026

Somatic yoga therapy for functional neurological disorder: feasibility randomised controlled trial.

Emily Kennedy-Barnes, L S Merritt Millman, Yasmine Basamh, Anel Duarte, Jenna Pacelli, John Hodsoll, Susannah Pick

Registry-linked trialAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BJPsych open, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT07378488 (Structured Dance/Movement Therapy for Functional Neurological Disorder), which is not on this map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

NCT07378488 naactive not recruitingnot on this map

Structured Dance/Movement Therapy for Functional Neurological Disorder: A Feasibility Study

TypeinterventionalSponsorKing's College LondonRan2026 to 2026Enrolled30ConditionsFunctional Neurological DisorderArmsStructured dance/movement, Physical exercise/body coordination
3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Emily Kennedy-BarnesDepartment of Psychological Medicine, https://ror.org/0220mzb33Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.
L S Merritt MillmanDepartment of Psychological Medicine, https://ror.org/0220mzb33Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.
Yasmine BasamhDepartment of Psychological Medicine, https://ror.org/0220mzb33Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.
Anel DuarteDepartment of Psychological Medicine, https://ror.org/0220mzb33Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.
Jenna PacelliDepartment of Psychological Medicine, https://ror.org/0220mzb33Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0007-5888-0222
John HodsollBiostatistics and Health Informatics Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.
Susannah PickDepartment of Psychological Medicine, https://ror.org/0220mzb33Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2001-6723

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundFunctional neurological disorder (FND) is characterised by disabling motor, sensory and/or seizure symptoms. Contemporary models highlight the possible involvement of altered affective and autonomic regulation and interoceptive processing in FND. However, accessible, mechanism-informed interventions remain limited.

aimsThis study sought to examine the feasibility, acceptability and possible benefits of tailored somatic yoga for people with FND, aiming to directly target altered emotional and bodily regulation in this group.

methodThis single-site, two-arm randomised feasibility trial allocated adults with FND to 6 weeks of either somatic yoga (weekly remote sessions plus home practice manual) or a music-based relaxation control. Feasibility outcomes included recruitment, retention, adherence and acceptability. Secondary outcomes, assessed at baseline, week 3, week 6 and 3-month follow-up, included FND symptom burden, psychological symptoms (anxiety, depression, dissociation), general functioning, health-related quality-of-life, interoceptive awareness and autonomic symptoms.

resultsSeventy-six enquiries were received. Thirty participants consented (100%), 27 were randomised (90%), 23 commenced the trial (77%) and 21 completed it (70%). Recruitment and retention targets were met, with 100% retention in the yoga arm. Adherence was high across both groups, although digital logging of home practice posed usability challenges. Exploratory analyses indicated large effect sizes for self-reported FND symptom improvement and interoceptive awareness in the yoga group, with effects sustained at follow-up.

conclusionsIndividually delivered somatic yoga was found to be feasible, acceptable and safe for people with FND. Our results also suggest potential benefits of somatic yoga for FND symptom improvement and interoceptive awareness, supporting progression to a fully powered trial.

Indexed as

feasibilityfunctional neurological disorderinterventionrandomised controlled trialYoga

Identifiers

PMID42226608
PMCPMC13237120

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Registered trials

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.