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Behavioural Intervention

Cognitive Fitness for Depression

N/A

Waitlist Available

Led By Kevin Manning, Ph.D.

Research Sponsored by UConn Health

Eligibility Criteria Checklist

Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial

Must have

Current major or mild depression despite ongoing treatment

current major or mild depression despite ongoing treatment

Must not have

Neurological disorders (e.g., stroke, epilepsy, brain injury with loss of consciousness > 30 minutes, brain tumors, demyelinating diseases)

Clinical diagnosis of dementia

Timeline

Screening 3 weeks

Treatment Varies

Follow Up pre-treatment and six weeks later when treatment has ended

Awards & highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

This trial is testing if computerized activities can improve thinking and depression in older adults with antidepressants, and if there are changes to brain activity.

Who is the study for?

This trial is for older adults who are experiencing depression and cognitive issues despite being treated with antidepressants. Participants must be able to read and write in English, have been on antidepressants for at least 8 weeks, and be under a doctor's care. People with psychosis, other major psychiatric disorders besides personality or generalized anxiety disorders, recent substance use disorders, dementia, significant neurological conditions or severe vision problems cannot join.

What is being tested?

The study is testing whether computerized cognitive exercises can improve thinking abilities and reduce symptoms of depression in older adults already taking antidepressants. It also aims to see if these activities change brain activity as seen on MRI scans.

What are the potential side effects?

Since the intervention involves non-invasive computer activities designed to enhance cognitive function, there are no direct physical side effects expected from the treatment itself. However, participants may experience fatigue or frustration.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below

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I am currently experiencing depression despite treatment.

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I am currently experiencing depression despite treatment.

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I have been taking an antidepressant for at least 8 weeks.

Exclusion Criteria

You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:

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I have a neurological disorder like stroke, epilepsy, or brain injury.

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I have been diagnosed with dementia.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks3 visits

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~ pre-treatment and six weeks later when treatment has ended

Screening ~ 3 weeks

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~pre-treatment and six weeks later when treatment has ended

This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and pre-treatment and six weeks later when treatment has ended for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.

Primary study objectives

Change in attention / cognitive flexibility as measured by the Trail Making Part B test

Change in depression symptom severity as measured with the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)

Secondary study objectives

Change in attention processing speed as measured with the Flanker Test of Response Inhibition from the NIH Cognitive Toolbox

Change in problem solving/speed/spatial memory as measured with the NIH Toolbox fluid composite scales

Change in self-reported depressive symptoms measured with the Carroll Depression Rating Scale

+1 more

Awards & Highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.

Trial Design

2Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Active Control

Group I: Computerized Cognitive Remediation of Executive Functioning (CCR-EF)Experimental Treatment1 Intervention

Initially 10 hours of processing speed exercises from "Brain HQ", (the 3 exercises are auditory tone sweep, visual processing \[Double Decision\], visual sweep). Following the 8-10 hours of Brain HQ, participants complete 8-10 hours of "Ultimate Word Master" before completing 16-20 hours of "Neurogrow" (formerly called "Catch the Ball"). Participants are asked to complete approximately 28-42 hours of computerized brain training over 4-6 weeks.

Group II: Active ControlActive Control1 Intervention

Patients in the active control arm will complete three activities according to a standard protocol: 1) play a visuospatially oriented computer game (Myst), 2) watch computer-based educational programs on art, history, literature, and 3) play computer games online through the Brain HQ platform; games include crossword puzzles, soduko, paddleboard, and word search. Participants will complete a total of 32-42 hours of training over 4-6 weeks. Time spent on each task will be evenly divided (15 minutes of each task everday).

0 / 5Eligibility criteria met