Cognitive Rehabilitation for Veterans With MDD-related Cognitive Functioning Deficits

Summary

Individuals with depression often describe difficulties with memory, attention, concentration, and overall cognitive functioning, which can persist even after mood episodes get better, and can affect treatment and health outcomes.

The primary objective of this pilot clinical trial is to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a manualized, 8-week, Compensatory Cognitive Training (CCT) intervention for Veterans who received treatment for MDD in the past year and have persistent cognitive functioning deficits. The investigators will compare Motivationally Enhanced Compensatory Cognitive Training for Major Depressive Disorder (ME-CCT-MDD) to a robust comparator, Goal-focused Supportive Contact (GSC), to evaluate differences in outcome measures.

The investigators hypothesize that Motivationally Enhanced Compensatory Cognitive Training for Major Depressive Disorder (ME-CCT-MDD) will be feasible and acceptable to participants in a pilot trial of ME-CCT-MDD vs. Goal-focused supportive contact (GSC) for Veterans with recent MDD treatment and persistent cognitive symptoms.

This study will also evaluate the preliminary magnitude and direction of symptom change on measures of objective cognitive functioning, psychiatric symptomatology, psychosocial functioning, and quality of life.

The investigators hypothesize that CCT will improve objective cognitive functioning, psychiatric outcomes, psychosocial functioning, and quality of life in Veterans with recent MDD-related cognitive functioning deficits.

Participants who agree to participate in the study will:

1. Take part in an assessment of their cognition, symptoms, and functioning, which will take approximately 2 hours. The assessment will include an interview about their medical, psychiatric, and cognitive history. It will also include questionnaires about their symptoms and daily functioning as well as neuropsychological tests, which are paper-pencil tests that evaluate aspects of cognition such as memory, attention, and problem-solving skills.
2. Be randomly assigned (like the flip of a coin) to receive Goal-Focused Supportive Contact or Compensatory Cognitive Training. Both treatments will involve weekly groups with a mental health provider for approximately 2 hours per week for 8 weeks. Goal-Focused Treatment includes setting and achieving short-term and long-term goals for improving cognition and functioning. Compensatory Cognitive Training includes training in strategies to improve cognition and manage stress.
3. Complete a follow-up assessment of cognition, symptoms, and functioning 8 weeks after they begin treatment, as well as a brief interview about their experience in the group. These assessment sessions will take approximately 2 hours.

Conditions

• Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
• Cognitive Dysfunction

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Motivationally Enhanced Compensatory Cognitive Training for Major Depressive Disorder (ME-CCT-MDD)

8-week manualized group-based behavioral intervention including compensatory cognitive training for difficulties with learning, memory, processing speed, executive functioning, verbal functioning, concentration, and attention.

BEHAVIORAL

Goal-focused Supportive Contact

8-week group-based behavioral intervention primarily focused on setting and achieving short or long-term goals. Does not provide training in cognitive strategies, lifestyle strategies, or motivational enhancement.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Oregon Health and Science University

  collaborator OTHER

• Portland VA Medical Center

  lead FED

Principal Investigators

• Maya O'Neil, PhD · Portland VA Medical Center

• Joren Adams · Portland VA Medical Center

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-05-01

Primary Completion

2026-06-30

Completion

2026-06-30

Countries

• United States

Study Locations