Cognitive Remediation for Alcohol Use Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Summary

The project will examine whether a computerized neuroscience-based cognitive training program can improve cognitive functioning and recovery outcomes among Veterans with Alcohol Use Disorder and co-occurring PTSD. Information from this study will help determine the malleability of cognitive dysfunction, an established risk factor for poor recovery outcomes in this population. Improved functional outcomes can decrease risk of chronic impairment and ultimately help affected individuals live richer, more productive lives. Web-based treatment technologies may increase the reach and impact of treatment, and foster patient recovery in cases where staffing, space, acceptability of counseling, and transportation are barriers. Findings may also support expanding use of existing, highly-accessible cognitive remediation technologies to other vulnerable clinical populations.

Conditions

• Alcohol Use Disorder
• PTSD
• Cognitive Dysfunction

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Cognitive Training

Participants will complete 22.5 hours of cognitive training exercises over 6-weeks (training 5 times a week) using an app-based program, BrainHQ (BPI/Posit Science, San Francisco). BrainHQ is based on a previous neuroscience-based cognitive training program shown to improve cognition in several different randomized controlled studies with other clinical populations. The investigators will use a suite of BrainHQ exercises designed to target and ameliorate cognitive disruptions in 4 cognitive domains (see main outcome). The investigators will employ basic exercises that focus on increasing processing efficiency in the auditory and visual perceptual and working memory domains, as well as exercises that target impulsivity and cognitive biases. Exercises will be packaged into 4 modules (attention skills, memory skills, executive functioning skills, cognitive control skills) comprised of 4 exercises each. All participants will progress through the same fixed schedule of modules.

BEHAVIORAL

Cognitive training placebo control

Participants will play a rotating set of commercial computer games at the same dose and frequency as the cognitive training. The investigators selected this control activity because it mirrors the game-like properties of the cognitive training and it will be used to control for contact with research personnel and for the non-specific effects of participant motivation and engagement with daily computerized activities. It also allows for a double blind study design. Games from the website Sporcle will be used and an online account can be created for each participant.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• VA Office of Research and Development

  lead FED

Principal Investigators

• Adrienne Julie Heinz, PhD · VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

TRIPLE

Model

FACTORIAL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2015-01-01

Primary Completion

2019-07-21

Completion

2019-07-21

Countries

• United States

Study Locations