NCT04554121

Brief Summary

The primary aim of this study is to provide confirmation that Cognitive Remediation (CR) for schizophrenia, when personalized based on pre-treatment assessment of early auditory processing ability, facilitates improved cognitive and functional outcomes. Additional aims of this study address the mechanisms of treatment effect. The study uses a repeated-measures randomized trial design. Enrollment will be by invitation, open to individuals receiving services at select community behavioral health facilities where CR is offered. Clients who are eligible for the service, who agree to participate in research and who meet inclusion/exclusion criteria will be assessed on outcome measures and categorized via performance on the Tone Matching (TM) test, as EAP impaired (EAP-) or EAP intact (EAP+). Subsequently, EAP- and EAP+ subgroups will be randomized to either (1) Brain Basics (BB; n = 100), an EAP-enhanced CR approach or (2) Brain Training (BT; n = 100), a routine CR approach. Participants will be invited to participate in a second pre-treatment assessment to measure electrophysiologic responses to auditory stimuli. All participants will be scheduled to repeat outcome measure assessments after treatment and after a follow-up period. The EAP- group receiving BB will be invited to repeat electrophysiological paradigms post-treatment to investigate mechanisms of change related to the CR intervention. Verbal learning will be the primary outcome with functional capacity the secondary outcome. EEG is exploratory and will examine neurophysiologic markers of need for and response to EAP training.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
194

participants targeted

Target at P75+ for not_applicable schizophrenia

Timeline
Completed

Started Dec 2020

Longer than P75 for not_applicable schizophrenia

Geographic Reach
1 country

9 active sites

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

September 14, 2020

Completed
4 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

September 18, 2020

Completed
3 months until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

December 14, 2020

Completed
4.9 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

October 24, 2025

Completed
2 months until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

December 8, 2025

Completed
Last Updated

March 6, 2026

Status Verified

March 1, 2026

Enrollment Period

4.9 years

First QC Date

September 14, 2020

Last Update Submit

March 4, 2026

Conditions

Keywords

Cognitive Remediation

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Change in Verbal Learning

    Verbal Learning is assessed with the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery Verbal Learning Domain score. The primary outcome will be change in this score from pre to post treatment such that a higher value represents a better outcome.

    15 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (2)

  • Change in Functional Capacity

    15 weeks

  • Change in Global Neurocognition

    15 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Brain Basics

EXPERIMENTAL

Brain Basics is a cognitive remediation intervention that emphasizes training in early auditory processing.

Behavioral: Brain Basics

Brain Training

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Brain Training is a cognitive remediation intervention that targets a range of cognitive abilities

Behavioral: Brain Training

Interventions

Brain BasicsBEHAVIORAL

Computer-based exercises targeting impairments in cognitive domains (sensory processing, processing speed, attention, working memory, memory) are paired with verbal discussions and group-based activities to strengthen metacognition and to bridge newly learned cognitive skills to everyday. life.

Brain Basics
Brain TrainingBEHAVIORAL

Computer-based exercises targeting impairments in cognitive domains (processing speed, attention, working memory, executive functions) are paired with verbal discussions and group-based activities to strengthen metacognition and to bridge newly learned cognitive skills to everyday life.

Brain Training

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years - 68 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • A primary DSM-5 diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder
  • Psychiatrically stable, as defined by no changes in psychotropic medication or psychiatric hospitalization in the most recent 21 days
  • English-speaking

You may not qualify if:

  • Indications of Intellectual Disability as documented in medical history or measured by \< 70 premorbid Full Scale IQ
  • Documented auditory disorder or known visual impairment; presence of neurological conditions that are impacting brain and cognitive functioning
  • Unremitted substance dependence within the past six months
  • Participation in cognitive remediation in the 24 months prior

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (9)

Laurel House

Stamford, Connecticut, 06902, United States

Location

Williamsburg Clinic

Brooklyn, New York, 11206, United States

Location

Institute for Community Living

Brooklyn, New York, 11207, United States

Location

Heights Hill Clinic

Brooklyn, New York, 11217, United States

Location

Mapleton Mental Health Services

Brooklyn, New York, 11230, United States

Location

The Bridge, Inc.

New York, New York, 10025, United States

Location

Manhattan Psychiatric Center 125th Street Clinic

New York, New York, 10027, United States

Location

Rockland Psychiatric Center

Orangeburg, New York, 10962, United States

Location

Pibly Residential Programs Inc.

The Bronx, New York, 10461, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

SchizophreniaPsychotic Disorders

Interventions

Cognitive Training

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic DisordersMental Disorders

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Neurological RehabilitationRehabilitationAftercareContinuity of Patient CarePatient CareTherapeuticsHealth ServicesHealth Care Facilities Workforce and Services

Study Officials

  • Alice Medalia, Ph.D.

    Columbia University

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
SINGLE
Who Masked
OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Professor

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

September 14, 2020

First Posted

September 18, 2020

Study Start

December 14, 2020

Primary Completion

October 24, 2025

Study Completion

December 8, 2025

Last Updated

March 6, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will share

Raw data will be made available for research to investigators working under a Federal Wide Assurance who meet security measures and data use agreement criteria associated with public repositories including the National Database for Clinical Trials related to Mental Illness (NDCT). Data will include baseline demographic data, and baseline and post raw data derived from primary and secondary outcome measures.

Time Frame
A list of all data expected to be collected in the project will be submitted by January 2021. Subsequently, descriptive and raw data will be submitted on a semi-annual basis. Unpublished de-identified data will be submitted prior to study completion and will be shared within one year after project completion, or when the data are published, whichever is earlier.
Access Criteria
Data in NIH repositories may be accessed through the NIH Data Access Committee which reviews data access and submission requests.

Locations