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Cognitive dysfunction is a major contributor to the poor community outcome of individuals with schizophrenia. Developing more effective cognitive remediation interventions is imperative to improve the daily lives of affected subjects and reduce the disability of this illness. The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate two types of cognitive training approaches to determine which one is more beneficial for individuals with schizophrenia. This study also uses electrophysiological techniques to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in cognitive remediation. Findings from this study will provide information about how to design the most optimally efficient cognitive training intervention to improve the cognitive and social functioning of patients with severe mental illness.
Schizophrenia is a disorder that affects both higher-level neurocognitive operations (e.g., verbal memory, executive functioning) and lower-level perceptual processes (e.g., auditory processing). These deficits contribute to the poor community outcome and severe functional disability seen in patients. Effectively treating the cognitive dysfunction associated with this illness is important to achieve improvements in daily functioning. Recent meta-analytic studies report that cognitive training in schizophrenia has a moderate effect-size impact on cognitive functioning and a lower impact on daily functioning. However, most training interventions for schizophrenia have only targeted higher-order cognitive processes. A few recent interventions have targeted basic perceptual processing and shown that auditory and visual perceptual abilities can be trained and improved in patients with schizophrenia. These findings suggest that basic perceptual processing may be an ideal target for intervention. At this point, it is still unclear whether a neuroplasticity-based, bottom-up intervention is more effective than an intervention that targets top-down functions like attention, working memory, and executive functioning.
This clinical trial will contrast a bottom-up intervention targeting basic auditory processes and a top-down intervention targeting higher-order cognitive functions, compared with a control condition, in Veterans with schizophrenia. These interventions will be assessed by their effects on representative measures from three outcome domains: 1) neurocognition, 2) electroencephalography (EEG), and 3) functional capacity. Participants will be randomly assigned to the bottom-up auditory training, top-down cognitive training, or control treatment (commercial computer games). All treatments will be administered three times a week (1 hour each) for 12 weeks. A comprehensive battery of cognitive, electrophysiological, and functional measures will be administered at baseline, 6 weeks, and at completion of treatment. The investigators will enroll 120 Veterans with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder across the 5 years of the study.
This study will determine which training approach leads to the largest magnitude of improvement in neurocognition, functional capacity, and neural functioning measured with EEG. Moreover, it will shed light on the neural mechanisms underlying the response to training. By determining whether it is more beneficial to treat lower-level perceptual processes or higher-level cognitive functions, the results of this project will inform future recovery-based cognitive remediation interventions for Veterans with schizophrenia.
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| Label | Type | Description | Intervention Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Specific Perceptual Training - Brain Fitness Program (BFP) | Experimental | In each session, participants will work on 4 of the 6 BFP exercises (15 min per exercise). Duration of training is 1 hour per day, 3 days per week, for 12 weeks, for a total of 36 hours. |
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| Broad Cognitive Training - Cognitive Package (Cogpack) | Experimental | In each session, participants will work on a different subset of 4 to 6 Cogpack exercises. Duration of training is 1 hour per day, 3 days per week, for 12 weeks, for a total of 36 hours. |
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| Control Treatment - Commercial Computer Games (Sporcle) | Active Comparator | In each session, participants will play between 8 and 16 games (1 to 15 min per game). Duration of training is 1 hour per day, 3 days per week, for 12 weeks, for a total of 36 hours. |
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| Name | Type | Description | Arm Group Labels | Other Names |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brain Fitness Program (BFP) | Behavioral | This computerized "bottom-up" cognitive intervention is designed to improve the speed and accuracy of auditory information processing through increasingly more difficult stimulus recognition, discrimination, sequencing, and memory tasks under conditions of close attentional control, high reward, and novelty. BFP consists of 6 exercises. Stimuli across the exercises are chosen such that they span the acoustic and organizational structure of speech, from very simple acoustic stimuli and tasks to complex manipulations of continuous speech. The exercises adaptively progress based on the subject's individual performance during a training session and become more challenging as the subject's abilities improve. Participants will work with 4 of the 6 exercises (15 min per exercise) in each session. |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Neurocognition | The Measurement and Treatment Research to Improve Cognition in Schizophrenia (MATRICS) Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) was used to assess basic cognition. It includes tests representing 6 separable cognitive domains. The MCCB composite score (average of 6 domain t-scores) served as the primary cognitive outcome measure. Minimum and maximum values are 20 and 68. Higher scores mean a better outcome. | Within one week of training completion |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Electroencephalography (EEG) | A Mismatch Negativity (MMN) Paradigm was used to assess basic auditory processing. MMN amplitude was measured as the mean voltage in the 145-200 ms latency range at pooled frontocentral electodes. Minimum and maximum values are -8 and +2 microvolts. More negative scores mean a better outcome. | After 6 weeks of training and within one week of training completion |
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Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
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| Name | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Carol Jahchan, PhD | VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, West Los Angeles, CA | Principal Investigator |
| Facility | Status | City | State | ZIP | Country | Contacts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local Board and Care Facilities | Los Angeles | California | 90073 | United States | ||
| VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, West Los Angeles, CA |
| PubMed Identifier | Type | Citation | Retractions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19745022 | Background | Adcock RA, Dale C, Fisher M, Aldebot S, Genevsky A, Simpson GV, Nagarajan S, Vinogradov S. When top-down meets bottom-up: auditory training enhances verbal memory in schizophrenia. Schizophr Bull. 2009 Nov;35(6):1132-41. doi: 10.1093/schbul/sbp068. Epub 2009 Sep 10. | |
| 19444614 | Background | Medalia A, Choi J. Cognitive remediation in schizophrenia. Neuropsychol Rev. 2009 Sep;19(3):353-64. doi: 10.1007/s11065-009-9097-y. Epub 2009 May 15. |
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6 participants were excluded from the study before being randomized to groups: 4 for not meeting inclusion criteria and 2 for not wanting to participate.
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| ID | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| FG000 | Specific Perceptual Training - Brain Fitness Program (BFP) | In each session, participants worked on 4 of the 6 BFP exercises (15 min per exercise). Duration of training is 1 hour per day, 3 days per week, for 12 weeks, for a total of 36 hours. Brain Fitness Program (BFP): This computerized "bottom-up" cognitive intervention is designed to improve the speed and accuracy of auditory information processing through increasingly more difficult stimulus recognition, discrimination, sequencing, and memory tasks under conditions of close attentional control, high reward, and novelty. BFP consists of 6 exercises. Stimuli across the exercises are chosen such that they span the acoustic and organizational structure of speech, from very simple acoustic stimuli and tasks to complex manipulations of continuous speech. The exercises adaptively progress based on the subject's individual performance during a training session and become more challenging as the subject's abilities improve. |
| FG001 | Broad Cognitive Training - Cognitive Package (Cogpack) | In each session, participants worked on a different subset of 4 to 6 Cogpack exercises. Duration of training is 1 hour per day, 3 days per week, for 12 weeks, for a total of 36 hours. Cognitive Package (Cogpack): This computerized "top-down" cognitive intervention is designed to provide training across a broad range of cognitive functions. Cogpack consists of domain-specific exercises aimed at training specific cognitive areas (attention, working memory, verbal and visual memory, executive functioning, reasoning, language) and non-domain-specific exercises that require the use of several functions at a time. Cogpack includes low-level cognitive exercises (i.e., scanning, hand-eye coordination, psychomotor speed) that will not be included in this protocol to better separate bottom-up from top-down training interventions. There will be a total of 34 exercises and variants of the same exercises with different levels of difficulty. |
| FG002 | Control Treatment - Commercial Computer Games (Sporcle) | In each session, participants played between 8 and 16 games (1 to 15 min per game). Duration of training is 1 hour per day, 3 days per week, for 12 weeks, for a total of 36 hours. Commercial Computer Games (Sporcle): Sporcle computer games were used as a "placebo" treatment to control for the effects of computer exposure, contact with research personnel, time spent being cognitively active, and financial compensation for participation. The games cover trivia-type questions about geography, entertainment, science, history, literature, sports, movies, etc. Subjects received the same amount of attention from staff members and the same monetary reinforcements as participants in the experimental treatment groups. They also completed 3 hours of "training" per week over 12 weeks, for a total of 36 hours. |
| Title | Milestones | Reasons Not Completed | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Study |
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| ID | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| BG000 | Specific Perceptual Training - Brain Fitness Program (BFP) | In each session, participants worked on 4 of the 6 BFP exercises (15 min per exercise). Duration of training is 1 hour per day, 3 days per week, for 12 weeks, for a total of 36 hours. Brain Fitness Program (BFP): This computerized "bottom-up" cognitive intervention is designed to improve the speed and accuracy of auditory information processing through increasingly more difficult stimulus recognition, discrimination, sequencing, and memory tasks under conditions of close attentional control, high reward, and novelty. BFP consists of 6 exercises. Stimuli across the exercises are chosen such that they span the acoustic and organizational structure of speech, from very simple acoustic stimuli and tasks to complex manipulations of continuous speech. The exercises adaptively progress based on the subject's individual performance during a training session and become more challenging as the subject's abilities improve. |
| Units | Counts |
|---|---|
| Participants |
|
| Title | Description | Population Description | Parameter Type | Dispersion Type | Unit of Measure | Calculate Percentage | Denominator Units Selected | Denominators | Classes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age, Continuous | Mean |
| Type | Title | Description | Population Description | Reporting Status | Anticipated Posting Date | Parameter Type | Dispersion Type | Unit of Measure | Calculate Percentage | Time Frame | Units Analyzed | Denominator Units Selected | Arm/Group Information | Denominators | Classes | Analyses | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary | Neurocognition | The Measurement and Treatment Research to Improve Cognition in Schizophrenia (MATRICS) Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) was used to assess basic cognition. It includes tests representing 6 separable cognitive domains. The MCCB composite score (average of 6 domain t-scores) served as the primary cognitive outcome measure. Minimum and maximum values are 20 and 68. Higher scores mean a better outcome. | Posted | Mean | Standard Deviation | score on a scale | Within one week of training completion |
|
12 weeks
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| ID | Title | Description | Deaths (Affected) | Deaths (At Risk) | Serious Events (Affected) | Serious Events (At Risk) | Other Events (Affected) | Other Events (At Risk) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EG000 | Specific Perceptual Training - Brain Fitness Program (BFP) | In each session, participants worked on 4 of the 6 BFP exercises (15 min per exercise). Duration of training is 1 hour per day, 3 days per week, for 12 weeks, for a total of 36 hours. Brain Fitness Program (BFP): This computerized "bottom-up" cognitive intervention is designed to improve the speed and accuracy of auditory information processing through increasingly more difficult stimulus recognition, discrimination, sequencing, and memory tasks under conditions of close attentional control, high reward, and novelty. BFP consists of 6 exercises. Stimuli across the exercises are chosen such that they span the acoustic and organizational structure of speech, from very simple acoustic stimuli and tasks to complex manipulations of continuous speech. The exercises adaptively progress based on the subject's individual performance during a training session and become more challenging as the subject's abilities improve. |
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| Term | Organ System | Source Vocabulary | Assessment Type | Notes | Statistical Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other | Psychiatric disorders | Other | Non-systematic Assessment | Patient reported exacerbation of psychotic symptoms likely due to underlying diagnosis not to study participation |
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| Title | Organization | Phone | Extension | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dr. Carol Jahchan | VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System | 310-478-3711 | 42953 | carol.jahchan@va.gov |
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| Type | Includes Protocol | Includes SAP | Includes ICF | Document Label | Document Date | Document Uploaded Date | Document File Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prot_SAP | Yes | Yes | No | Study Protocol and Statistical Analysis Plan | Nov 24, 2014 | Apr 3, 2019 | Prot_SAP_000.pdf |
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| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D012559 | Schizophrenia |
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D019967 | Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders |
| D001523 | Mental Disorders |
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| Cognitive Package (Cogpack) | Behavioral | This computerized "top-down" cognitive intervention is designed to provide training across a broad range of cognitive functions. Cogpack consists of domain-specific exercises aimed at training specific cognitive areas (attention, working memory, verbal and visual memory, executive functioning, reasoning, language) and non-domain-specific exercises that require the use of several functions at a time. Cogpack includes low-level cognitive exercises (i.e., scanning, hand-eye coordination, and psychomotor speed) that will not be included in this protocol to better separate bottom-up from top-down training interventions. There will be a total of 34 exercises and variants of the same exercises with different levels of difficulty. In each session, participants will work on a different subset of 4 to 6 exercises. |
|
| Commercial Computer Games (Sporcle) | Behavioral | Sporcle computer games will be used as a "placebo" treatment to control for the effects of computer exposure, contact with research personnel, time spent being cognitively active, and financial compensation for participation. The games cover trivia-type questions about geography, entertainment, science, history, literature, sports, movies, etc. Subjects will receive the same amount of attention from staff members and the same monetary reinforcements as participants in the experimental treatment groups. They will also complete 3 hours of "training" per week over 12 weeks, for a total of 36 hours. |
|
| Functional Capacity | The University of California San Diego (UCSD) Performance-based Skills Assessment (UPSA) was used to assess functional capacity. The UPSA total score served as a secondary functional outcome measure. Minimum and maximum values are 40 and 100. Higher scores mean a better outcome. | Within one week of training completion |
| West Los Angeles |
| California |
| 90073 |
| United States |
| 21092939 | Background | Popov T, Jordanov T, Rockstroh B, Elbert T, Merzenich MM, Miller GA. Specific cognitive training normalizes auditory sensory gating in schizophrenia: a randomized trial. Biol Psychiatry. 2011 Mar 1;69(5):465-71. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2010.09.028. Epub 2010 Nov 18. |
| 10755673 | Background | Green MF, Kern RS, Braff DL, Mintz J. Neurocognitive deficits and functional outcome in schizophrenia: are we measuring the "right stuff"? Schizophr Bull. 2000;26(1):119-36. doi: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.schbul.a033430. |
| 19448187 | Background | Fisher M, Holland C, Merzenich MM, Vinogradov S. Using neuroplasticity-based auditory training to improve verbal memory in schizophrenia. Am J Psychiatry. 2009 Jul;166(7):805-11. doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2009.08050757. Epub 2009 May 15. |
| 15699289 | Background | Light GA, Braff DL. Mismatch negativity deficits are associated with poor functioning in schizophrenia patients. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2005 Feb;62(2):127-36. doi: 10.1001/archpsyc.62.2.127. |
| BG001 | Broad Cognitive Training - Cognitive Package (Cogpack) | In each session, participants worked on a different subset of 4 to 6 Cogpack exercises. Duration of training is 1 hour per day, 3 days per week, for 12 weeks, for a total of 36 hours. Cognitive Package (Cogpack): This computerized "top-down" cognitive intervention is designed to provide training across a broad range of cognitive functions. Cogpack consists of domain-specific exercises aimed at training specific cognitive areas (attention, working memory, verbal and visual memory, executive functioning, reasoning, language) and non-domain-specific exercises that require the use of several functions at a time. Cogpack includes low-level cognitive exercises (i.e., scanning, hand-eye coordination, psychomotor speed) that were not included in this protocol to better separate bottom-up from top-down training interventions. There was a total of 34 exercises and variants of the same exercises with different levels of difficulty. |
| BG002 | Control Treatment - Commercial Computer Games (Sporcle) | In each session, participants played between 8 and 16 games (1 to 15 min per game). Duration of training is 1 hour per day, 3 days per week, for 12 weeks, for a total of 36 hours. Commercial Computer Games (Sporcle): Sporcle computer games were used as a "placebo" treatment to control for the effects of computer exposure, contact with research personnel, time spent being cognitively active, and financial compensation for participation. The games cover trivia-type questions about geography, entertainment, science, history, literature, sports, movies, etc. Subjects received the same amount of attention from staff members and the same monetary reinforcements as participants in the experimental treatment groups. They also completed 3 hours of "training" per week over 12 weeks, for a total of 36 hours. |
| BG003 | Total | Total of all reporting groups |
| years |
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| Sex: Female, Male | Count of Participants | Participants |
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| Ethnicity (NIH/OMB) | Count of Participants | Participants |
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| Race (NIH/OMB) | Count of Participants | Participants |
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| Region of Enrollment | Count of Participants | Participants |
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| MCCB neurocognition composite | The Measurement and Treatment Research to Improve Cognition in Schizophrenia (MATRICS) Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) was used to assess basic cognition. It includes tests representing 6 separable cognitive domains. The MCCB composite score (average of 6 domain t-scores) served as the primary cognitive outcome measure. Minimum and maximum values are 20 and 68. Higher scores mean a better outcome. | Mean | Standard Deviation | units on a scale |
|
| UPSA total | The University of California San Diego (UCSD) Performance-based Skills Assessment (UPSA) was used to assess functional capacity. The UPSA total score served as a secondary functional outcome measure. Minimum and maximum values are 40 and 100. Higher scores mean a better outcome. | Mean | Standard Deviation | units on a scale |
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| MMN amplitude | A Mismatch Negativity (MMN) Paradigm was used to assess basic auditory processing. MMN amplitude was measured as the mean voltage in the 145-200 ms latency range at pooled frontocentral electodes. Minimum and maximum values are -8 and +2 microvolts. More negative scores mean a better outcome. | Mean | Standard Deviation | units on a scale |
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| OG001 | Broad Cognitive Training - Cognitive Package (Cogpack) | In each session, participants worked on a different subset of 4 to 6 Cogpack exercises. Duration of training is 1 hour per day, 3 days per week, for 12 weeks, for a total of 36 hours. Cognitive Package (Cogpack): This computerized "top-down" cognitive intervention is designed to provide training across a broad range of cognitive functions. Cogpack consists of domain-specific exercises aimed at training specific cognitive areas (attention, working memory, verbal and visual memory, executive functioning, reasoning, language) and non-domain-specific exercises that require the use of several functions at a time. Cogpack includes low-level cognitive exercises (i.e., scanning, hand-eye coordination, psychomotor speed) that were not included in this protocol to better separate bottom-up from top-down training interventions. There was a total of 34 exercises and variants of the same exercises with different levels of difficulty. |
| OG002 | Control Treatment - Commercial Computer Games (Sporcle) | In each session, participants played between 8 and 16 games (1 to 15 min per game). Duration of training is 1 hour per day, 3 days per week, for 12 weeks, for a total of 36 hours. Commercial Computer Games (Sporcle): Sporcle computer games were used as a "placebo" treatment to control for the effects of computer exposure, contact with research personnel, time spent being cognitively active, and financial compensation for participation. The games cover trivia-type questions about geography, entertainment, science, history, literature, sports, movies, etc. Subjects received the same amount of attention from staff members and the same monetary reinforcements as participants in the experimental treatment groups. They also completed 3 hours of "training" per week over 12 weeks, for a total of 36 hours. |
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| Secondary | Electroencephalography (EEG) | A Mismatch Negativity (MMN) Paradigm was used to assess basic auditory processing. MMN amplitude was measured as the mean voltage in the 145-200 ms latency range at pooled frontocentral electodes. Minimum and maximum values are -8 and +2 microvolts. More negative scores mean a better outcome. | Posted | Mean | Standard Deviation | units on a scale | After 6 weeks of training and within one week of training completion |
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| Secondary | Functional Capacity | The University of California San Diego (UCSD) Performance-based Skills Assessment (UPSA) was used to assess functional capacity. The UPSA total score served as a secondary functional outcome measure. Minimum and maximum values are 40 and 100. Higher scores mean a better outcome. | Posted | Mean | Standard Deviation | score on a scale | Within one week of training completion |
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| 0 |
| 39 |
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| 39 |
| 2 |
| 39 |
| EG001 | Broad Cognitive Training - Cognitive Package (Cogpack) | In each session, participants worked on a different subset of 4 to 6 Cogpack exercises. Duration of training is 1 hour per day, 3 days per week, for 12 weeks, for a total of 36 hours. Cognitive Package (Cogpack): This computerized "top-down" cognitive intervention is designed to provide training across a broad range of cognitive functions. Cogpack consists of domain-specific exercises aimed at training specific cognitive areas (attention, working memory, verbal and visual memory, executive functioning, reasoning, language) and non-domain-specific exercises that require the use of several functions at a time. Cogpack includes low-level cognitive exercises (i.e., scanning, hand-eye coordination, psychomotor speed) that were not included in this protocol to better separate bottom-up from top-down training interventions. There was a total of 34 exercises and variants of the same exercises with different levels of difficulty. | 0 | 40 | 0 | 40 | 2 | 40 |
| EG002 | Control Treatment - Commercial Computer Games (Sporcle) | In each session, participants played between 8 and 16 games (1 to 15 min per game). Duration of training is 1 hour per day, 3 days per week, for 12 weeks, for a total of 36 hours. Commercial Computer Games (Sporcle): Sporcle computer games were used as a "placebo" treatment to control for the effects of computer exposure, contact with research personnel, time spent being cognitively active, and financial compensation for participation. The games cover trivia-type questions about geography, entertainment, science, history, literature, sports, movies, etc. Subjects received the same amount of attention from staff members and the same monetary reinforcements as participants in the experimental treatment groups. They also completed 3 hours of "training" per week over 12 weeks, for a total of 36 hours. | 0 | 20 | 0 | 20 | 1 | 20 |
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