Games to Overcome Late Life Depression (GOLD)

University of Washington

Status: Completed

Conditions: Major Depressive Disorder

Treatments: Behavioral: Evolution; Behavioral: Problem Solving Therapy; Behavioral: Words

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02229188

STUDY00001751

Details and patient eligibility

About

This is a pilot study divided into two phases. IN phase 1 (completed) participants will be randomized to receive 8 weeks of Problem Solving Therapy (PST) alone or 8 weeks of a cognitive training game called, Evolution (Evo) plus clinical management. In Phase 2 (now recruiting), participants will be randomized to Evo, PST, and a different cognitive training program called Words. Words is similar to Evo in that it is an adaptive training program and includes case management. IN both studies participants will be assessed for clinical and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) outcomes at baseline, 4 weeks and 8 weeks.

Full description

Evo is a computer game that targets parts of the brain (i.e. the cognitive control network) that we think may be associated with depressive symptoms. This study is exploratory and will inform future hypotheses the research team will test in subsequent research.

Enrollment: 30 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 60 to 80 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

1. Between 60-80 years of age
2. Meets criteria for Major Depressive Disorder
3. Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) of 20 or greater
4. Mini Mental State Exam score of 24 or greater
5. Can speak and read English
6. Able to physically participate in the research protocol (e.g.: is not suffering from a terminal or highly disabling illness)
7. Can participate in MRI scans
8. Able to provide written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

1. History of psychosis, mania, or currently using or abusing illicit drugs or alcohol
2. Diagnosis of dementia
3. Taking cognitive enhancers
4. Change in or newly began taking psychiatric medication within the last 6 months
5. Pacemaker
6. Metal in the body that cannot be removed
7. Color blind
8. Movement disorder that prevents participation -

Trial design

Primary purpose: Health Services Research

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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30 participants in 3 patient groups, including a placebo group

Problem Solving Therapy

Active Comparator group

Description:

Problem Solving Therapy is an evidence-based behavioral treatment for late life depression proven effective with different geriatric groups including ambulatory; medically ill; older adults with executive dysfunctions; and more recently, low-income, disabled older adults.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Problem Solving Therapy

Evolution

Experimental group

Description:

Evolution is a plasticity intervention in the form of a video driving game that targets the cognitive conflict network.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Evolution

Words

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

Words is a challenging crosswords type of game that will serve as the placebo comparator to Evo.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Words