RECRUITING

Cognitive Rehabilitation for Veterans With MDD-related Cognitive Functioning Deficits

Study Overview

This clinical trial focuses on testing the efficacy of different digital interventions to promote re-engagement in cancer-related long-term follow-up care for adolescent and young adult (AYA) survivors of childhood cancer.

Description

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.

Official Title

Cognitive Rehabilitation for Veterans With MDD-related Cognitive Functioning Deficits, w/ Joren Adams

Quick Facts

Study Start:2025-05-01
Study Completion:2026-06
Study Type:Not specified
Phase:Not Applicable
Enrollment:Not specified
Status:RECRUITING

Study ID

NCT06728774

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Ages Eligible for Study:18 Years
Sexes Eligible for Study:ALL
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:No
Standard Ages:ADULT, OLDER_ADULT
Inclusion CriteriaExclusion Criteria
  1. 1. Veterans 18 years of age or older
  2. 2. Self-reported concerns about cognitive functioning deficits or clinical concerns about cognitive functioning deficits documented in EHR
  3. 3. meets DSM-5 criteria for MDD and receiving treatment for this diagnosis at the Portland VA within the past year
  4. 4. moderate or greater depressive symptoms as assessed by a PHQ-9 score ≥ 10
  5. 5. current cognitive functioning deficits as determined by performance on at least two measures in one cognitive domain (i.e., memory, attention/processing speed, language, executive functioning) falling ≥1 SD below their age-appropriate norms in the absence of memory impairment.
  1. 1. impaired capacity to understand study risks and benefits
  2. 2. history of TBI as defined by American College of Rehabilitation Medicine and VA/DoD criteria
  3. 3. meets DSM-5 criteria for a substance use disorder other than nicotine use disorder in the past 6 months
  4. 4. meets DSM-5 criteria for dementia, psychotic disorder, or "with psychotic features" specifier
  5. 5. active suicidal intent with significant clinical risk
  6. 6. auditory or visual impairments that would prevent ability to participate in cognitive rehabilitation group or assessments. Eligibility will be established by electronic medical record review conducted by study staff and will be confirmed by the Veteran during the initial phone call.

Contacts and Locations

Study Contact

Joren Adams
CONTACT
503-220-8262
joren.adams@va.gov

Principal Investigator

Maya O'Neil, PhD
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
Portland VA Medical Center
Joren Adams
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
Portland VA Medical Center

Study Locations (Sites)

Portland VA Medical Center
Portland, Oregon, 97239
United States

Collaborators and Investigators

Sponsor: Portland VA Medical Center

  • Maya O'Neil, PhD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, Portland VA Medical Center
  • Joren Adams, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, Portland VA Medical Center

Study Record Dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Registration Dates

Study Start Date2025-05-01
Study Completion Date2026-06

Study Record Updates

Study Start Date2025-05-01
Study Completion Date2026-06

Terms related to this study

Keywords Provided by Researchers

  • Veterans
  • Cognitive Rehabilitation
  • Group Intervention

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

  • Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
  • Cognitive Dysfunction