Advancing Feasibility and Acceptability of Digital Cognitive Rehabilitation in Sickle Cell (ALL IN)
Children's National Research Institute
Summary
This is a single site nonrandomized pilot clinical trial of the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of a combination treatment involving digital Cogmed working memory skills training, social support components, and memory strategy training to improve adherence to Cogmed in youth with sickle cell disease ages 7-16 years.
Description
The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of a novel approach to ameliorating cognitive deficits in children and adolescents with sickle cell disease (SCD). SCD is an understudied, life-limiting disease affecting 100,000 individuals in the United States and over 300,000 newborns globally every year. Youth with SCD are at substantial neurological risk given their increased likelihood of overt stroke and silent cerebral infarct. However, even individuals without signs of cerebral infarct exhibit lower cognitive performance compared to healthy siblings due in large part t…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 7–16 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Diagnosis of sickle cell disease (any genotype). 2. Between ages 7-16 years old. 3. Patients will only enter the treatment phase if they score \>1 SD below the normative mean on at least one standardized working memory assessment (i.e., Digit Span or Spatial Span subtests) or demonstrate a relative weakness in working memory (\>1 SD below the estimated IQ). Exclusion Criteria: 1. Motor, visual, or auditory impairment that prevents computer use. 2. Diagnosis of a mental health condition that precludes, or takes treatment precedence over, participation in the cognitive…
Interventions
- BehavioralCogmed+
Cogmed is a home-based, digital working memory training program compatible with tablet devices. The program, designed for children ages 7 and older, consists of engaging cognitive exercises that target skills involving visuospatial and verbal working memory. An essential component of Cogmed training involves assignment of an intervention "coach" who has access to detailed data on the user's training data. Families will have videoconference meetings once per week with an intervention coach to review progress, provide feedback and answer any questions that arise during treatment. In addition, participants' coaching calls will be supplemented with direct instruction on the use of memory strategies. Social support interventions will also be provided involving three primary approaches: (1) multi-family Cogmed Kickoff social events; (2) social incentives; and (3) peer navigator support.
Location
- Children's National HospitalWashington D.C., District of Columbia