A Randomized Controlled Trial of Cognitive Control Training for Urgency in a Naturalistic Clinical Setting
Overview
- Phase
- N/A
- Intervention
- Not specified
- Conditions
- Impulsive Behavior
- Sponsor
- Mclean Hospital
- Enrollment
- 46
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Average Score on Negative Urgency Scale at Discharge
- Status
- Terminated
- Last Updated
- 4 years ago
Overview
Brief Summary
This study is designed to test whether computer-based cognitive exercises are helpful for reducing a specific type of impulsivity. Also, the study is testing whether these are exercises are associated with specific changes in behavior and in the brain. Participants will be psychiatric patients enrolled in a partial hospitalization program. Half of these participants will receive usual treatment, and half will complete computer-based cognitive exercises in addition to usual treatment.
Detailed Description
Impulsivity has different components. One personality trait related to impulsivity, known as "urgency," is strongly related to many different mental health symptoms and risky behaviors. Urgency refers to impulsivity specifically in the context of strong emotions. Research shows that higher levels of urgency are related to specific deficits in cognition. Problems with response inhibition--the ability to cancel or withhold a planned action--are associated with urgency. Also, research shows that difficulties in another aspect of cognition--working memory--may moderate the relationship between inhibition deficits and urgency. One previous study found that people who practiced computerized response inhibition and working memory tasks for two weeks reported significant decreases in urgency. It is unknown if these computerized tasks would be helpful for reducing urgency in adults with psychiatric disorders. Furthermore, it is unknown if changes in urgency are related to changes in the brain mechanisms that help to support response inhibition. This study will collect data on brain activity while people are completing response inhibition tasks.
Investigators
Andrew D. Peckham
Research Fellow
Mclean Hospital
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- •Currently receiving treatment at the McLean Hospital Behavioral Health Partial Hospital Program (PHP)
- •Report an average score of 3.0 or greater on the Negative Urgency scale, the Positive Urgency scale, or 3.0 or greater on both scales, upon admission to the PHP
- •Right-handed (if enrolled in EEG arm)
Exclusion Criteria
- •Currently undergoing electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
- •Current symptoms of acute mania
- •Current symptoms of acute psychosis
- •History of traumatic brain injury
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Average Score on Negative Urgency Scale at Discharge
Time Frame: Admission and at study completion (day of discharge), an average of two weeks. Scores reported below are at day of discharge.
This scale assesses tendencies towards impulsive action in response to negative emotion. The scale ranges from 1-4, with higher scores indicating more problems with this type of impulsivity.
Average Score on the Short Positive Urgency Scale at Discharge
Time Frame: Admission and at study completion (day of discharge), an average of two weeks. Scores reported below are at discharge.
This scale assesses tendencies towards impulsive action in response to positive emotion. The scale ranges from 1-4, with higher scores indicating more problems with this type of impulsivity.
Secondary Outcomes
- Completion Rates(At study completion, an average of two weeks.)
- Estimated Stop-Signal Reaction Time (SSRT) on Stop-Signal Task (ms) at Discharge(Baseline and at study completion (discharge), an average of two weeks. Scores reported below are at discharge.)
- Feasibility of Assessing Change in Event-related Potentials (ERPs) During a Stop-Signal Task in a Partial Hospital Population(Baseline and at study completion (discharge), an average of two weeks. Baseline data and discharge data are shown separately below.)
- Average Perceived Helpfulness of Training(At study completion, an average of two weeks.)