Working Memory Training for Substance Dependent Individuals
A Randomized Double-blind Placebo-controlled Trial to Working Memory Training in Substance Abusers
1 other identifier
interventional
180
1 country
1
Brief Summary
Background: Substance abusers show impaired working memory (WM) functioning. Promising findings show training WM results in an improved working memory capacity (WMC) and a decrease of clinical symptoms in a range of disorders, including alcohol addiction. Aim: To test the effect of a WM training in addition to treatment as usual (TAU) on substance use, craving, WMC, impulsivity, attention bias and psychopathology. Design: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial with a parallel group design. The WM training adapted to participants' WMC whereas the placebo training consisted of non-adaptive easy versions of these tasks. Setting: Two departments of an addiction treatment clinic in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Participants: 120 inpatients diagnosed with an alcohol, cannabis or cocaine dependency who were in treatment as usual . Measurements: Primary outcome measures: Substance use and craving. Secondary outcome measures: WMC, impulsivity, attention bias and psychopathology. Participants were assessed before and after 24 sessions of WM training as well as two months after the training.
Trial Health
Trial Health Score
Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach
participants targeted
Target at P75+ for not_applicable
Started May 2012
Typical duration for not_applicable
1 active site
Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.
Trial Relationships
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Study Timeline
Key milestones and dates
Study Start
First participant enrolled
May 1, 2012
CompletedFirst Submitted
Initial submission to the registry
April 8, 2014
CompletedFirst Posted
Study publicly available on registry
April 22, 2014
CompletedPrimary Completion
Last participant's last visit for primary outcome
June 1, 2014
CompletedStudy Completion
Last participant's last visit for all outcomes
June 1, 2014
CompletedAugust 21, 2014
August 1, 2014
2.1 years
April 8, 2014
August 20, 2014
Conditions
Keywords
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcomes (1)
Craving: Desires for Alcohol Questionnaire and Desires for Drug Questionnaire score change and Obsessive Compulsive Drug Use Scale and Obsessive Compulsive Drinking Scale score change between pre and post training and follow up (two months after post)
The 14-item Desires for Drug Questionnaire (DDQ) and the 13-item Desires for Alcohol Questionnaire (DAQ) measure instant craving to respectively drug and alcohol. The DDQ is based on the DAQ. The Obsessive Compulsive Drug Use Scale (OCDUS) and Obsessive Compulsive Drinking Scale (OCDS) measure the subjective interference and distress caused by respectively drug and alcohol related thoughts and compulsive-behavior patterns.
Pre (baseline), post (after 4 weeks of training-starting 1 day after pre-test) and follow-up (2 months after post-test)
Secondary Outcomes (2)
Change in Digit Span score on pre and post training and follow up after two months
Pre (baseline), post (after 4 weeks of training-starting 1 day after pre-test) and follow-up (2 months after post-test)
Change in Reading Span partial-scredit uni score on pre and post training and follow up after two months
Pre (baseline), post (after 4 weeks of training-starting 1 day after pre-test) and follow-up (2 months after post-test)
Other Outcomes (5)
Change in Barratt Impulsivity Scale-11 score on pre and post training and follow up after two months
Pre (baseline), post (after 4 weeks of training-starting 1 day after pre-test) and follow-up (2 months after post-test)
Change in Stroop score on pre and post training and follow up after two months
Pre (baseline), post (after 4 weeks of training-starting 1 day after pre-test) and follow-up (2 months after post-test)
Change in Beck Depression Inventory - Second Edition (BDI-II) score on pre and post training and follow up after two months
Pre (baseline), post (after 4 weeks of training-starting 1 day after pre-test) and follow-up (2 months after post-test)
- +2 more other outcomes
Study Arms (2)
Working memory training
EXPERIMENTALPlacebo training
PLACEBO COMPARATORInterventions
The working memory training started the day after the pre-test and included 24 sessions of 25 minutes each. Participants trained, under supervision of an experimenter, on weekdays in the clinic. The training consisted of two tasks: the Symmetry Span and the N-back Task. Participants in the experimental group executed versions of these task that adapt to their working memory capacity, to train their working memory optimally.
The working memory training started the day after the pre-test and included 24 sessions of 25 minutes each. Participants trained, under supervision of an experimenter, on weekdays in the clinic. The training consisted of two tasks: the Symmetry Span and the N-back Task. Participants in the placebo group executed easy versions of these task that did not adapt to their level, to prevent training.
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if:
- Substance dependency: cocaine, cannabis or alcohol
You may not qualify if:
- Age below 16 or above 67
- Current psychosis
- Neurological complaints
Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.
Sponsors & Collaborators
Study Sites (1)
Bouman Clinic
Rotterdam, South Holland, 3084 LD, Netherlands
MeSH Terms
Conditions
Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)
Study Design
- Study Type
- interventional
- Phase
- not applicable
- Allocation
- RANDOMIZED
- Masking
- DOUBLE
- Who Masked
- PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR
- Purpose
- TREATMENT
- Intervention Model
- PARALLEL
- Sponsor Type
- OTHER
- Responsible Party
- PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
- PI Title
- Professor
Study Record Dates
First Submitted
April 8, 2014
First Posted
April 22, 2014
Study Start
May 1, 2012
Primary Completion
June 1, 2014
Study Completion
June 1, 2014
Last Updated
August 21, 2014
Record last verified: 2014-08