Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome in Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder

Overview

This cross-sectional observational case-control study aims to investigate symptoms of sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT), also known as cognitive disengagement syndrome (CDS), in adults diagnosed with Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder/Conversion Disorder (FNSD/CD). The study compares SCT/CDS symptoms between patients with FNSD/CD and healthy controls and evaluates their relationship with clinical variables. It is hypothesized that individuals diagnosed with FNSD/CD will exhibit higher levels of SCT/CDS symptoms compared to healthy controls.

Sluggish Cognitive Tempo (SCT), also referred to as Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome (CDS), is characterized by symptoms such as excessive daydreaming, mental fogginess, lethargy, slowed behavior, confusion, and reduced alertness. Research indicates that SCT/CDS symptoms are distinct from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), although some overlap may occur. Studies suggest that SCT/CDS may be influenced more by environmental and neurocognitive factors than by heritability. Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder (FNSD), also known as Conversion Disorder (CD), is characterized by neurological symptoms that cannot be explained by an identifiable neurological disease. These symptoms may include motor dysfunction (weakness, tremor, gait abnormalities), non-epileptic seizures, sensory disturbances, or mixed presentations. Although symptoms are not attributable to structural neurological pathology, they cause significant functional impairment. The etiology of FNSD remains unclear. Proposed mechanisms include altered functional connectivity between emotional processing networks and motor/sensory regions, impaired memory and attention processing, and stress-related neurobiological dysregulation. Neurocognitive models suggest that attention and memory impairments may be present in individuals with FNSD, particularly under stress. Despite increasing research on SCT/CDS in ADHD and other psychiatric conditions, SCT/CDS symptoms have not been systematically studied in adults with FNSD. Considering the hypothesized cognitive and attentional involvement in FNSD, SCT/CDS symptoms may be present in this population. This study is designed as a cross-sectional case-control study conducted at the Psychiatry Outpatient Clinic of Elazığ Mental Health and Diseases Hospital. Participants will include adults aged 18-65 years diagnosed with FNSD according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision criteria and a matched healthy control group without psychiatric diagnoses. Participants will complete a sociodemographic and clinical information form and validated psychometric scales, including: Barkley's Adult Sluggish Cognitive Tempo Scale (Turkish version), Somatoform Dissociation Questionnaire, Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale. No invasive or interventional procedures will be performed. Group comparisons will be conducted using appropriate parametric or non-parametric tests. Correlation and regression analyses will be performed when necessary. Statistical significance will be defined as p ≤ 0.05. Power analysis indicates that a minimum of 24 participants per group (total n=48) is required to achieve 80% power at alpha=0.05.