Trial results for a study investigating cognitive training in individuals with Depression, Anxiety Disorders, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder were posted on ClinicalTrials.gov on 2025-07-23. The study enrolled 73 participants, with the high-dose cognitive training group showing a mean increase of 8.18 in cognitive performance.
Background
Depression, anxiety disorders, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are common mental health conditions that can significantly impact cognitive function. Individuals experiencing these conditions often report difficulties with attention, memory, and executive functions, collectively referred to as cognitive dyscontrol. Addressing these cognitive aspects through targeted interventions, such as cognitive training, is an area of ongoing research to potentially improve overall functional outcomes and treatment efficacy. This study explored the effects of cognitive training on cognitive and neural responses in individuals seeking treatment for these symptoms.
Trial design
This completed study, designated as Phase NA, enrolled 73 participants. The trial investigated the cognitive and neural effects of a cognitive training intervention in individuals seeking treatment for Anxiety Disorders, Depression, or Posttraumatic Stress Disorder symptoms. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: a high-dose cognitive training group, a low-dose cognitive training group, or an assessment-only control group. The study aimed to compare participants on cognitive performance and brain response during cognitive tasks from baseline to post-treatment.
Key results
The trial reported several key measurements related to changes in cognitive performance, reading span BOLD response, emotional working memory BOLD response, and neuropsychological performance:
- Change in Cognitive Performance (score on a scale):
- Cognitive Training Low Dose: Mean of 4.92 (Standard Deviation 8.07)
- Cognitive Training High Dose: Mean of 8.18 (Standard Deviation 14.03)
- Repeat Assessment: Mean of .27 (Standard Deviation 10.58)
- Change in Reading Span Blood Oxygen Level Dependent (BOLD) Response (percent BOLD signal change ROI1):
- Cognitive Training Low Dose: Mean of -2.90 (Standard Deviation 6.16)
- Cognitive Training High Dose: Mean of -2.16 (Standard Deviation 6.62)
- Repeat Assessment: Mean of 2.46 (Standard Deviation 3.19)
- Change in Emotional Working Memory Blood Oxygen Level Dependent (BOLD) Response (percent BOLD signal change ROI1):
- Cognitive Training Low Dose: Mean of .21 (Standard Deviation 1.26)
- Cognitive Training High Dose: Mean of .58 (Standard Deviation 1.28)
- Repeat Assessment: Mean of -1.56 (Standard Deviation 1.09)
- Change in Neuropsychological Performance (T score):
- Cognitive Training Low Dose: Mean of 4.35 (Standard Deviation 6.79)
- Cognitive Training High Dose: Mean of 7.94 (Standard Deviation 6.91)
- Repeat Assessment: Mean of 1.37 (Standard Deviation 7.67)
What this means
The posted results indicate that cognitive training, particularly at a high dose, was associated with observed changes in cognitive performance and neuropsychological performance in individuals with anxiety disorders, depression, or PTSD. The high-dose group showed larger mean increases in cognitive performance (8.18) and neuropsychological performance (7.94) compared to the low-dose and repeat assessment groups. Changes in BOLD responses during cognitive tasks were also observed across the groups. These findings suggest that cognitive training may influence cognitive and neural mechanisms in this transdiagnostic population, providing data for further research into its potential role as a supportive intervention.
Source
The information regarding these trial results was obtained from ClinicalTrials.gov, a public database of clinical studies. The results for the study NCT04912089, titled "Enhancing Transdiagnostic Mechanisms of Cognitive Dyscontrol", were posted on 2025-07-23 on clinicaltrials.gov.