Optimal Dose of a Cognitive Control Training for Depression Vulnerability

Establishing a Dose-response Relationship for the Effects of a Cognitive Control Training on Depression Vulnerability

This study aims to examine the dose-response relationship of an online adaptive cognitive control training on depressive symptomatology and rumination. Participants will be randomized over six groups, each receiving a different dose (0, 1, 5, 10, 15 or 20 sessions) of a cognitive control training in remitted depressed patients. An adaptive Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task will be used as cognitive control training.

Depression is often associated with cognitive impairments and recent studies have found that for some people, these cognitive problems persist after remission of depression. These cognitive impairments could be a risk factor for recurrence of depressive episodes. Cognitive control training aims to address these cognitive impairments and decrease the risk of recurrence of depression.

One promising operationalization of cognitive control training is the adaptive Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task, but currently, it's unclear how many sessions one should complete in order to obtain cognitive- and emotional transfer effects. By comparing multiple groups with a different number of sessions (0, 1, 5, 10, 15 and 20), with measures at post (one month after baseline) and two follow-up periods (at 3 months and 6 months after baseline), this study examines the effects of an online cognitive control training on depressive vulnerability factors.

Inclusion Criteria:

• History of ≥ 1 depressive episode(s)
• Currently in remission (≥ 3 months)
• Access to a computer with an internet connection

Exclusion Criteria:

• Ongoing depressive episode
• Psychotic disorder (current and/or previous)
• Neurological impairments (current and/or previous)
• Excessive substance abuse (current and/or previous)
• Use of antidepressant medication is allowed if kept at a constant level