Cognitive Control Training for Depression

Boston University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Depression

Treatments: Other: Cognitive Control Training; Other: Peripheral Vision Task

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT01454141

BU-2182E

Details and patient eligibility

About

Depression is frequently characterized by patterns of inflexible, maladaptive, and ruminative thinking styles; these patterns themselves are thought to result from a combination of decreased attentional control, decreased executive functioning, and increased negative affect. Specifically, the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex has been hypothesized to play a central role in emotion regulation by recruiting resources necessary for executive control. Recent advances have been made in neurobehavioral training strategies as interventions for emotional disorders such as depression. Cognitive control training (CCT) uses computer-based exercises to recruit and activate prefrontal neural networks via repeated behavioral exercises, with the aim of strengthening cognitive and emotional functions. A previous study found that severely depressed participants who received CCT exhibited reduced negative affect and rumination as well as improved focus and concentration. The present study aimed to extend this line of research by employing a more stringent control group and testing the efficacy of three sessions of CCT over a two-week period in a community population with depressed mood. Forty-eight participants with high BDI-II scores were randomized to CCT or a comparison condition (Peripheral Vision Training; PVT). The investigators hypothesized that relative to a control condition (PVT), CCT would be associated with less self-reported negative mood and emotional reactivity.

Enrollment: 56 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 65 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• BU students and local community members.
• At least 18 years of age.
• Familiarity with a computer keyboard.
• BDI-II score ≥ 17

Exclusion criteria

• BDI-II score < 17, or > 35

Trial design

Primary purpose: Basic Science

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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56 participants in 2 patient groups

Peripheral Vision Task

Experimental group

Description:

During this task participants viewed a circular array of 15 discs and were asked to move their attention, but not their eyes, clockwise around the array while auditory tones were presented. Following the presentation of a distinct target tone, the discs changed color and participants reported the color of the disc by pressing a designated button on the keyboard. This task was developed to be a non-active control condition, targeting visual and occipital areas of the brain, and therefore allows us to discriminate between the effects of completing a computer-based task from interventions that specifically target the PFC.

Treatment:

Other: Peripheral Vision Task

Cognitive Control Training

Experimental group

Description:

Cognitive Control Training (CCT) A modified version of the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task (PASAT) and the Attention Control Intervention were used to train participants' attentional control in accordance with procedures used by Siegle and colleagues.

Treatment:

Other: Cognitive Control Training