Cognitive Fitness for Depression

Overseen By Seyenah Lopez

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: UConn Health

Must be taking: Antidepressants

Disqualifiers: Psychosis, Substance use, Dementia, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

138 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This research is being done to determine if computerized administered cognitive fitness activities will improve thinking and depression in older depressed adults who are being treated with antidepressants. The investigators are also interested in whether participating in the treatment will result in changes to brain activity measured with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Research Team

Kevin Manning, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

UConn Health

Eligibility Criteria

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.

Inclusion Criteria

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

Ability to read and write in English

I am currently experiencing depression despite treatment.

Exclusion Criteria

Other psychiatric disorders (except personality & generalized anxiety disorders)

Corrected visual acuity < 20/70 or color blindness

Substance use disorders in the prior year

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Computerized Cognitive Remediation of Executive Functioning (CCR-EF)

Trial Overview 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.

Participant Groups

Group I: Computerized Cognitive Remediation of Executive Functioning (CCR-EF) Experimental Treatment 1 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 Control Active Control 1 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).

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

UConn Health

Lead Sponsor

Trials

218

Recruited

59,100+

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Collaborator

Trials

3,007

Recruited

2,852,000+