Cognitive Remediation in 22q11DS

Duke University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Velo-Cardio-Facial Syndrome; 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome

Treatments: Behavioral: Small group social skills training; Behavioral: Cognitive remediation program

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; NIH

Identifiers

NCT01781923

Pro00025985

R34MH091314 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

Details and patient eligibility

About

The goal of this study is to collect preliminary data on the efficacy of a cognitive remediation program in improving the neurocognitive deficits in children with chromosome 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS). This study involves a two part approaching including a computerized cognitive remediation program (CCRP, Posit Science, CA) in combination with a Social Cognitive Training (SCT) program. The computer-based training program has shown encouraging results in improving learning deficits in individuals with schizophrenia and we now seek to adapt them to children with 22q11DS, who have unique needs due to their lower IQ and high risk of psychosis in late adolescence and adulthood. The SCT is a small-group intervention program based on cognitive enhancement therapy, which has been shown to improve social cognition and functionality in adults with schizophrenia. A preliminary study will be performed using this two-pronged approach, to establish the feasibility and gather preliminary data on neurocognition before and after the intervention in these children; these data would enable a larger randomized controlled study to assess the efficacy of this approach.

Enrollment: 38 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 11 to 17 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• molecular/cytogenetic confirmation of 22q11DS

Exclusion criteria

• Intelligence Quotient <60
• diagnosis of psychosis
• pregnancy
• home location does not permit participation in small groups

Trial design

38 participants in 2 patient groups

Cognitive Remediation

Experimental group

Description:

12 week computer-based cognitive remediation program aimed to improve working memory, processing speed, and verbal learning/memory. 40 week small group social skills training sessions aimed to improve social skills and cognition.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Cognitive remediation program

Behavioral: Small group social skills training

Control

No Intervention group

Description:

No intervention