Cognitive Training for PTSD

(CCTPTSD Trial)

Overseen By Emily R Sano, MA

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

Approximately half a million Veterans receiving services at the VA have Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD is strongly associated with cognitive functioning deficits in areas of concentration, attention, memory, learning, verbal abilities, processing speed, and multitasking. Compensatory Cognitive Training (CCT) is an evidence-based intervention for cognitive problems that is effective in other Veteran populations such as those with a history of traumatic brain injury (TBI), but CCT has not yet been tested in Veterans with PTSD who don't have a history of TBI. The investigators will conduct a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) of CCT in Veterans who have been treated for PTSD but continue to have cognitive functioning deficits. The investigators will examine feasibility, acceptability, participant characteristics, and effect size estimates in preparation for a fully-powered RCT of CCT for PTSD-related cognitive functioning deficits.

Research Team

Maya Elin O'Neil, PhD MS

Principal Investigator

VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for English-speaking Veterans with PTSD who've had treatment in the last 2 years and still struggle with cognitive issues like memory, attention, or decision-making. They must have a mental health provider and not suffer from severe psychiatric disorders, substance dependence (recent), major brain injuries, or conditions affecting cognition.

Inclusion Criteria

Able to read and write and provide informed consent

I have a mental health provider or case manager for my care.

I experience issues with memory, focus, or decision-making.

Exclusion Criteria

Do not have a diagnosis of a substance dependence disorder within the past 30 days

Do not meet criteria for bipolar disorder or a psychotic disorder

I have no history of severe brain injuries or diseases affecting my brain function.

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Compensatory Cognitive Training (CCT) (Behavioral Intervention)
• Treatment as Usual (TAU) (Behavioral)

Trial Overview The study tests Compensatory Cognitive Training (CCT) against usual care to see if CCT can help veterans with PTSD improve their cognitive skills such as concentration and memory. It's a pilot randomized controlled trial preparing for a larger future study.

Participant Groups

Group I: Compensatory Cognitive Training (CCT) Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Compensatory Cognitive Training draws from the theoretical literature on compensatory strategy training for other cognitively impaired populations (e.g., Huckans et al., 2013; Twamley et al., 2010; Storzbach et al., 2016). It is a rehabilitation model that aims to teach individuals strategies that allow them to work around cognitive deficits. Consistent with this model and the expert recommendations for civilians and Service members with TBI (Cicerone, 2011), manualized CCT treatment provides training in compensatory attention and learning/memory skills, formal problem-solving strategies applied to daily problems, and the use of external aids such as calendar systems and assistive devices to promote completion of daily tasks (Storzbach et al., 2016).

Group II: Treatment as Usual (TAU) Active Control 1 Intervention

All TAU participants have an ongoing VA mental health provider and received ongoing mental health care during the course of the study (generally weekly individual or group sessions focusing on evidence-based PTSD treatment).

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

VA Office of Research and Development

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,691

Recruited

3,759,000+