Short-term Working Memory and Executive Training (STExFx)

Queen's University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Psychotic Disorders

Treatments: Behavioral: Executive Function Training; Behavioral: Placebo

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02168166

GPSYC-651-14

Details and patient eligibility

About

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.

Enrollment: 40 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 65 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

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

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

---

40 participants in 2 patient groups, including a placebo group

Executive Function Training

Active Comparator group

Description:

Two weeks of training of cognitive domain of executive functioning Using online program (Scientific Brain Training Pro) Four exercises

Treatment:

Behavioral: Executive Function Training

Placebo Training

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

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

Treatment:

Behavioral: Placebo