Enhancing Rehabilitation for Veterans With Serious Mental Illness Via Biomarker-Informed Cognitive Training
VA Office of Research and Development
Summary
This study addresses the critical need for innovative therapeutic interventions in Veterans with serious mental illnesses (SMI) receiving care in VA Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Centers (PRRCs). The vast majority of individuals with SMI suffer from cognitive impairments, leading to chronic functional disability, and impaired outcomes, causing a significant strain on support networks and the VA healthcare system. This study aims to introduce an innovative mental health therapy, Targeted Cognitive Training (TCT), to Veterans struggling with serious mental illnesses (SMI). TCT works to improve basic sensory information processing and, ultimately, clinical, cognitive, and psychosocial functioning. By using EEG biomarkers to identify Veterans with SMI receiving care within VA Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Centers who are most likely to benefit from this treatment, and by understanding how best to implement this therapy, the investigators hope to enhance care and improve life quality for Veterans with SMI.
Description
This application addresses the critical need for innovative therapeutic interventions in Veterans with serious mental illnesses (SMI) receiving care in VA Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Centers (PRRCs). The vast majority of individuals with SMI suffer from cognitive impairments, leading to chronic functional disability, and impaired outcomes, causing a significant strain on support networks and the VA healthcare system. This application aims to introduce an innovative mental health therapy, Targeted Cognitive Training (TCT), to Veterans struggling with serious mental illnesses (SMI).…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–83 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Veterans with SMI (e.g., schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, PTSD) being treated at PRRCs or co-located rehabilitative services. * Age 18 and 83 years. * Fluency in spoken and written English. * Ability to detect 1000 Hz tones binaurally at a 40-dB sound pressure level. * Ability to see with an acuity of 20/40 with both eyes tested together (corrected if applicable) by a standard printed Snellen eye chart reading card. Exclusion Criteria: * Estimated premorbid IQ below 70, as estimated via the WRAT-4 Reading subtest. * Active substance use other…
Interventions
- BehavioralTargeted Cognitive Training
TCT is a computer-based cognitive training program in which participants train on progressively more difficult auditory processing exercises in order to improve speed, accuracy and fidelity of auditory information processing in order to generate gains in cognition and functioning.
Location
- VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CASan Diego, California