Minnesota Community-Based Cognitive Training in Early Psychosis

Minnesota Community-Based Cognitive Training in Early Psychosis

The purpose of this study is to determine whether cognitive training exercises can improve cognitive functioning in young patients with recent-onset psychosis who are being treated in community mental health settings using the NAVIGATE model. The investigators will examine the effects of web-based cognitive training exercises delivered on iPads. Participants will be randomized to one of three conditions, and will be assessed at Baseline, Post-Intervention, and 6 Month Follow Up on measures of clinical, neurocognitive, and functional status.

The purpose of this study is to perform a double-blind randomized controlled trial (RCT) in young patients with First Episode Psychosis (FEP) to target improvement in cognitive functioning within real-world treatment settings. This study will be performed in the University of Minnesota Department of Psychiatry; patients will be recruited from local community based mental health care settings that implement a NAVIGATE model for FEP.

All participants will undergo baseline assessment in measures of clinical, neurocognitive, and functional status prior to randomization. Participants will be equally randomized to one of three groups: Targeted Cognitive Training (TCT); General Cognitive Exercises (GCE); or Treatment as Usual (TAU). Participants assigned to a cognitive training group will be loaned an iPad to complete study training at home. They will complete 60 minutes of training 5 times a week over the course of 6 weeks for a total of 30 hours of training. Participants will be allowed up to 12 weeks to complete the full 30 hours. Participants will return after 30 hours of training or 12 weeks, whichever comes first, for Post-Intervention Assessments. Then participants will enter a no-contact follow up period, until it is time for their 6 Month Follow Up assessment.

Specific Aims:

1. Perform a double-blind RCT of web-based, portable computerized cognitive training in young individuals with recent onset psychosis receiving treatment within the University of Minnesota, Department of Psychiatry's First Episode Psychosis Program or other state clinics utilizing the NAVIGATE treatment model.
2. Compare the clinical and cognitive effects of neural system-informed TCT that focuses explicitly and specifically on distributed neural system efficiency in auditory/verbal and social cognitive domains, vs. more non-specific GCE designed to enhance executive functioning and problem-solving, vs. TAU. Determine the durability of these effects and their relationship to functional outcome over a 6 month period.
3. As a secondary aim, investigate the feasibility, tolerability, and acceptability of the intervention by service providers, clients, and caregivers in these real-world treatment centers.

Hypotheses to be tested:

1. TCT subjects will show significantly greater gains in general cognition, verbal learning/memory, and social cognition compared to GCE and TAU subjects. These gains in the TCT group will be sustained at 6-month follow-up.
2. GCE subjects will show improvement in problem-solving and global cognition compared to TAU subjects. At 6 month follow-up, GCE subjects will show lower gains in global cognition and verbal learning/memory than TCT subjects.
3. Gains in general cognition and processing speed, and in social cognition in TCT subjects will correlate with improvements on 6-month measures of occupational and social functioning, respectively, as well as internalized stigma. These associations will be significantly greater in TCT subjects vs. GCE or TAU subjects.
4. Symptom ratings will show improvement in all subject groups at 6 months, with no significant between-group differences.
5. At least 70% of randomized clients will complete >20 hours of training in the TCT and GCE arms.
6. Participants and clinicians will rate the TCT and GCE interventions as equally feasible, tolerable, and acceptable.

Participants from this study will also be recruited to participate in an adjunct protocol conducted by Dr. Sophia Vinogradov, titled "Is cognitive training neuroprotective in early psychosis?" NCT03049800.

Data from this project will be analysed with a sister protocol conducted by Dr. Rachel Loewy at the University of California San Francisco, titled "Community-Based Cognitive Training in Early Schizophrenia (COTES)," NCT01973270.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Clinical diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, schizophreniform disorder, major depressive disorder with psychotic features, bipolar disorder with psychotic features, psychosis disorder not otherwise specified, or unspecified schizophrenia spectrum disorder, and started receiving treatment services at a First Episode Psychosis Program within the last two years
• Good general physical health
• Aged between 16 and 35 years (inclusive)
• Fluent in spoken and written English
• No neurological disorder (diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder is allowed)
• Achieved clinical stability, defined as outpatient status for at least one month prior to study participation, stable doses of psychiatric medications for at least one month prior to study participation
• Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding may participate in this study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Unable to provide informed consent
• Participated in significant cognitive training programs within the last three years
• Clinically significant substance abuse that is impeding the subject's ability to participate fully during recruitment, assessment, or training (is unable to remain sober for assessments and training).
• Prescribed >0.5mg daily benztropine (Congentin), >25mg daily diphenhydramine, or high doses of clozapine (>500 mg po qd) or olanzapine (to be determined on a case by case basis).
• Active suicidal ideation at screening or baseline, or previous intent to act on suicidal ideation with a specific plan, preparatory acts, or an actual suicide attempt within the last 6 months, as indicated by the C-SSRS