Short-term Working Memory and Executive Training

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Psychotic Disorders
• Interventions: Behavioral: Placebo; Behavioral: Executive Function Training

• Registration Number: NCT02168166
• Lead Sponsor: Queen's University

Brief Summary

Cognitive remediation (CR) therapies refer to a number of recent developments to use behavioural strategies to improve neurocognitive abilities and improve everyday functioning in mental disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression. In this study, we aim to examine whether we can observe CR effects on measures of neuroplasticity, cognition, and functioning when using a rigorous control comparison group. We hypothesize that the active group will exhibit improvements in executive functioning composite scores, improved EEG theta-gamma frequency modulation, and increased EEG alpha power compared to the placebo group.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2014-05
• Study First Submitted: 2014-06-16
• Study First Submitted QC: 2014-06-17
• Study First Posted: 2014-06-20
• Primary Completion: 2017-06
• Study Completion: 2017-06
• Status Verified: 2018-04
• Last Update Submitted: 2018-04-02
• Last Update Posted: 2018-04-04

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 40

Inclusion Criteria

• diagnosis of a chronic mental disorder (defined herein as bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, or a schizophrenia-spectrum disorder)
• between the ages of 18 and 65
• speak and read fluent English
• able to use a computer

Exclusion Criteria

• active substance abuse or dependence diagnosis
• sensory or motor issues that would preclude completion of study procedures
• enrollment in a cognitive remediation program or use of cognitive training programs (e.g. lumosity.com) within the past 6 months

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Placebo Training	Placebo	Two weeks of training with exercises not affecting working memory, information processing speed, or cognitive load Exercises maintain other traditional progressive aspects to preserve appearance of dynamic titration of difficulty levels Using online program (Scientific Brain Training Pro) Four exercises
Executive Function Training	Executive Function Training	Two weeks of training of cognitive domain of executive functioning Using online program (Scientific Brain Training Pro) Four exercises

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change from baseline executive functioning composite score at post-treatment assessment	Pre-training assessment (Week 1) and post-training assessment (Week 4)	Composite score based on four tests of cognition

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change from baseline EEG theta-gamma frequency modulation at post-treatment assessment	Pre-training assessment (Week 1) and post-training assessment (Week 4)	Predicted to improve in active CR (cognitive remediation) condition compared to placebo CR
Change from baseline EEG alpha power at post-treatment assessment	Pre-training assessment (Week 1) and post-training assessment (Week 4)	Predicted to increase in active CR (cognitive remediation) condition compared to placebo CR

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Queen's University; 🇨🇦 Kingston, Ontario, Canada