Trial results for a study evaluating computerized cognitive training for Depression and Subclinical Depressive Symptoms in youth were posted on ClinicalTrials.gov on 2025-06-18, showing a mean change of 8.85 on the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) in the intervention group.
Background
Depression, including subclinical depressive symptoms, can significantly impact youth. The aim of this research was to understand how cognitive control training (CCT) influences behavior in young individuals experiencing subclinical depressive symptoms. This understanding is intended to inform future efforts to improve the prevention of depression development, potentially helping more patients avoid the progression to full clinical depression.
Trial design
This completed study enrolled 31 participants with Depression and Subclinical Depressive Symptoms. The trial investigated computerized cognitive training (CCT) using EndeavorRx. The study was conducted with no specified phase.
Key results
The trial results provided several key measurements related to changes in depressive symptoms and cognitive control capacity in the group receiving Computerized Cognitive Training (CCT) Using EndeavorRx:
- Change in Depressive Symptoms as Measured by Children's Depression Inventory (CDI): The mean score was 8.85 with a Standard Deviation of 3.65 score on a scale.
- Change in Depressive Symptoms as Measured by Children's Depression Inventory (CDI): The mean score was 5.84 with a Standard Deviation of 4.37 score on a scale.
- Change in Depressive Symptoms as Measured by Children's Depression Rating Scale - Revised (CDRS-R): The mean score was 30.00 with a Standard Deviation of 5.69 score on a scale.
- Change in Depressive Symptoms as Measured by Children's Depression Rating Scale - Revised (CDRS-R): The mean score was 24.05 with a Standard Deviation of 3.29 score on a scale.
- Change in Cognitive Control Capacity - Overall Reaction Time (RT) Stroop: The mean reaction time was 1019.44 milliseconds with a Standard Deviation of 131.07 milliseconds.
- Change in Cognitive Control Capacity - Overall Reaction Time (RT) Stroop: The mean reaction time was 1018.28 milliseconds with a Standard Deviation of 140.31 milliseconds.
- Change in Cognitive Control Capacity - Conflict RT Stroop: The mean reaction time was 65.95 milliseconds with a Standard Deviation of 58.60 milliseconds.
- Change in Cognitive Control Capacity - Conflict RT Stroop: The mean reaction time was 62.32 milliseconds with a Standard Deviation of 96.70 milliseconds.
- Change in Cognitive Control Capacity - Overall RT Flanker: The mean reaction time was 785.93 milliseconds with a Standard Deviation of 266.25 milliseconds.
- Change in Cognitive Control Capacity - Overall RT Flanker: The mean reaction time was 778.62 milliseconds with a Standard Deviation of 435.33 milliseconds.
- Change in Cognitive Control Capacity - Conflict RT Flanker: The mean reaction time was 151.31 milliseconds with a Standard Deviation of 188.11 milliseconds.
- Change in Cognitive Control Capacity - Conflict RT Flanker: The mean reaction time was 311.82 milliseconds with a Standard Deviation of 970.06 milliseconds.
What this means
The posted results indicate that computerized cognitive training using EndeavorRx led to observable changes in depressive symptom scores and cognitive control capacities in youth with subclinical depressive symptoms. Specifically, measurements on the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) showed mean scores of 8.85 (SD 3.65) and 5.84 (SD 4.37), while the Children's Depression Rating Scale - Revised (CDRS-R) showed mean scores of 30.00 (SD 5.69) and 24.05 (SD 3.29). Changes in cognitive control were also measured across various reaction time tasks, including Stroop and Flanker tests. These findings contribute to understanding how cognitive training might influence behavior in this population, which is crucial for informing future strategies aimed at preventing the development of clinical depression.
Source
The information regarding these trial results was obtained from ClinicalTrials.gov, a public database of clinical studies. The results for the study NCT05697627, titled "Cognitive Training Video Game to Target Subclinical Depressive Symptoms in Youth", were posted on 2025-06-18 on clinicaltrials.gov.