Goal-oriented attentional self-regulation training (GOALS).

Brain Health Education (EDU)

This will involve 5-7 weeks of training (20 hours of group training (2 hour sessions, 2 days per week), 3 hours of individual training (1 hour at the beginning, halfway through and at the end of training), and approximately 20 hours of home practice). In brief, the GBSM training protocol is designed to maximize the potential for improving attention regulation skills and the goal-directed functions they support, applying mindfulness-based attention regulation training to practice in redirecting attention to goal-relevant processes especially in the context of distractions is emphasized throughout training. Participants are asked to identify realistic functional goals as feasible individual and group projects, and are then trained in goal management strategies on the functional task(s) of their choice.

We computed a composite measure based upon the average of individuals' scores on commonly used neuropsychological tests of attention, working memory, and executive functions. To compute this composite score, we first scored individual performances on each neuropsychological measure utilizing published norms, adjusted for, when available, age, gender, ethnicity, and education levels. We then converted all resultant scores (e.g., T-scores, Standard Scores) to a common metric, z-scores. (Z-scores are a standardized unit of measurement, scaled in terms of standard deviation (SD) units. Thus, a z-score of 0 represents the mean; a z-score of 1 represents+1 SD above the mean; and a z-score of -1 represents -1 SD below the mean.) Finally, for each participant, z-scores derived from each separate neuropsychological test were averaged together to yield a final composite score. The composite score was the unit of analysis.

Observed measures of functional performance on complex tasks were assessed for the GOALS and Brain Health Education study. The overall composite score comprises scores for planning, initiation, self-monitoring, maintenance of attention, sequencing and switching, divergent thinking, execution, learning and memory. Scores range from 1-10. Changes were calculated from pre-to post-training, and higher scores indicate improvement in functioning.

Goal-oriented attentional self-regulation training (GOALS).

This will involve 5-7 weeks of training (20 hours of group training (2 hour sessions, 2 days per week), 3 hours of individual training (1 hour at the beginning, halfway through and at the end of training), and approximately 20 hours of home practice). In brief, the GBSM training protocol is designed to maximize the potential for improving attention regulation skills and the goal-directed functions they support, applying mindfulness-based attention regulation training to practice in redirecting attention to goal-relevant processes especially in the context of distractions is emphasized throughout training. Participants are asked to identify realistic functional goals as feasible individual and group projects, and are then trained in goal management strategies on the functional task(s) of their choice.

We computed a composite measure based upon the average of individuals' scores on commonly used neuropsychological tests of attention, working memory, and executive functions. To compute this composite score, we first scored individual performances on each neuropsychological measure utilizing published norms, adjusted for, when available, age, gender, ethnicity, and education levels. We then converted all resultant scores (e.g., T-scores, Standard Scores) to a common metric, z-scores. (Z-scores are a standardized unit of measurement, scaled in terms of standard deviation (SD) units. Thus, a z-score of 0 represents the mean; a z-score of 1 represents+1 SD above the mean; and a z-score of -1 represents -1 SD below the mean.) Finally, for each participant, z-scores derived from each separate neuropsychological test were averaged together to yield a final composite score. The composite score was the unit of analysis.

We lost a total of n=2 participants to attrition from baseline to follow-up. This included n=1 from the Goal-Oriented Attentional Self-regulation training and n=1 from the Brain Health Education.

Goal-oriented attentional self-regulation training (GOALS).

This will involve 5-7 weeks of training (20 hours of group training (2 hour sessions, 2 days per week), 3 hours of individual training (1 hour at the beginning, halfway through and at the end of training), and approximately 20 hours of home practice). In brief, the GBSM training protocol is designed to maximize the potential for improving attention regulation skills and the goal-directed functions they support, applying mindfulness-based attention regulation training to practice in redirecting attention to goal-relevant processes especially in the context of distractions is emphasized throughout training. Participants are asked to identify realistic functional goals as feasible individual and group projects, and are then trained in goal management strategies on the functional task(s) of their choice.