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The goal of this study is to test the effectiveness of two experimental training programs aimed at improving face processing in developmental prosopagnosia (perception training, memory training) in comparison to an active control. The investigators will use a longitudinal design and randomize developmental prosopagnosics to three parallel arms: active control, perception training and memory training.
The investigators propose a longitudinal design with three parallel arms: active control, perception training and memory training. To maximize power, developmental prosopagnosics (DPs) in the active control group will be subsequently be offered training. Pre-training/control assessments will be performed and within 2 weeks, DPs will be randomized to one of the three training conditions. Next, all DPs will complete 6-weeks of their assigned intervention. The research assistant will provide coaching at least once per week. DPs will be assessed within two weeks of training completion and after a 12-week no-contact period. For those in the active control group, the no-contact period will serve to wash out any placebo effect and Assessment 3 will be used as their new baseline. These DPs will then be randomized to perception or memory training. Assessments will then be given to these DPs within a week after intervention completion and after a 12 weeks no-contact period.
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| Label | Type | Description | Intervention Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memory Training | Experimental | Participants will perform 6 weeks of face memory training (5 x 40 min sessions/week) that targets enhancing encoding to improve face recollection. As training progresses, the repetition lags (spaces between repeated foil faces) and number of faces will increase. |
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| Perception Training | Active Comparator | Participants will perform 6 weeks of face perception training (5 x 40 min sessions/week) that require discriminating faces based on internal features (e.g., eyebrow-eye distance). As training progresses, the faces will become more challenging and the face sizes will vary. |
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| Active Control Training | Placebo Comparator | Participants will perform 6 weeks of face perception training (5 x 40 min sessions/week) that require discriminating faces based on external facial features (e.g., hair). As training progresses, the faces will become more challenging and the face sizes will vary. |
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| Name | Type | Description | Arm Group Labels | Other Names |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Face Memory Training | Behavioral | Computer-based training using faces targeting face memory |
|
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Cambridge Face Memory Test from baseline to post-training | unfamiliar face learning/memory test, Cambridge Face Memory Test, minimum=0/maximum=72, higher is better performance | baseline, within 2 weeks post-training (approximately 10 weeks after baseline), 12 weeks after training ends (approximately 22 weeks after baseline) |
| Change in Face Perception from baseline to post-training | computerized Benton Face Recognition Test, minimum=0/maximum=54, higher is better performance | baseline, within 2 weeks post-training (approximately 10 weeks after baseline), 12 weeks after training ends (approximately 22 weeks after baseline) |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Face Recollection from baseline to post-training | face recollection measure derived from old/new unfamiliar face recognition test | baseline, within 2 weeks post-training (approximately 10 weeks after baseline), 12 weeks after training ends (approximately 22 weeks after baseline) |
| Change in Self-reported face recognition ability from baseline to post-training |
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Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
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| Name | Role | Phone | Extension | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joseph DeGutis, Ph.D. | Contact | 510-734-7705 | degutis@wjh.harvard.edu |
| Name | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Joseph DeGutis, Ph.D. | Harvard Medical School/VA Boston Healthcare Systems | Principal Investigator |
| Facility | Status | City | State | ZIP | Country | Contacts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VA Boston Healthcare System | Recruiting | Boston | Massachusetts | 02130 | United States |
De-identified individual participant data will be made available to other researchers in accordance with the VA Boston Healthcare System IRB and Privacy/Security policies
Once the VA Boston Healthcare System IRB approves sharing this information
The VA Boston Healthcare System IRB will also establish access criteria
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| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D020238 | Prosopagnosia |
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D000377 | Agnosia |
| D010468 | Perceptual Disorders |
| D019954 | Neurobehavioral Manifestations |
| D009461 | Neurologic Manifestations |
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There will be a pre assessment, 6 weeks of training/active control, then an immediate post assessment, and finally an assessment after a 12-week no-contact period
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Participants will not be told whether they are in the experimental or control conditions and all conditions will require discriminating faces.
| Face Perception Training | Behavioral | Computer-based training using faces targeting improving face perception |
|
| Placebo control training | Behavioral | Computer-based training using faces not targeting improving face perception or memory |
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items assessing everyday face recognition, minimum=0/maximum=100, higher is better |
| baseline, within 2 weeks post-training (approximately 10 weeks after baseline),12 weeks after training ends (approximately 22 weeks after baseline) |
| Change in Eye processing ability from baseline to post-training | average eye processing ability from Georges task | baseline, within 2 weeks post-training (approximately 10 weeks after baseline), 12 weeks after training ends (approximately 22 weeks after baseline) |
| Change in Holistic processing from baseline to post-training | measure of holistic processing of faces (holistic advantage) from part-whole task | baseline, within 2 weeks post-training (approximately 10 weeks after baseline), 12 weeks after training ends (approximately 22 weeks after baseline) |
| Change in NIH PROMIS Social functioning self-report from baseline to post-training | bank of NIH PROMIS items asking about social functioning related to prosopagnosia, minimum=0/maximum=100, higher is better | baseline, within 2 weeks post-training (approximately 10 weeks after baseline), 12 weeks after training ends (approximately 22 weeks after baseline) |
| D009422 |
| Nervous System Diseases |
| D012816 | Signs and Symptoms |
| D013568 | Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms |