Examining the effectiveness of the F-CaST based on a controlled randomized trial in patients with SUD residing in a therapeutic community.
Background and Aims: Substance use disorder (SUD), an urgent public health concern, is a chronic relapsing brain disorder caused by psychoactive substances, characterized by cognitive, behavioral, and physiological symptoms, severely impacting every life domain. Repeated substance use leads to impairments in higher cognitive abilities, termed executive functions (EF), and leads to SUD chronicity. Furthermore, EF deficits are associated with difficulties in sensory processing, severely limiting daily functions and with reported high incidence in SUD. However, to date both are not addressed therapeutically. This translational study aims to enhance rehabilitation success in patients with SUD residing in a therapeutic community (TC) by employing sensory and EF strategies utilizing the Functional Cognitive and Sensory Treatment (F-CaST), an innovative personalized therapy. Methods: A qualitative study will be nested in a single-blind, controlled randomized trial, comparing two groups: (i) Experimental group- F-CaST - in which therapy is individually tailored for successful task performance and where the focus is on strategies for improving sensory and EF deficits and (ii) Control group - Standard Care - the typical treatment given in the therapeutic community. Measurement will be conducted by assessors blind to group allocation at 4 time points: T1- pre-intervention; T2- post-intervention; T3- at a 1-month follow-up; and T4- at a 3-month follow-up. Population: Forty-eight adults diagnosed with SUD, aged 18-45 years, with no significant cognitive deficits, and residing in a TC for SUD. Tools: Both objective and subjective measures to evaluate TC performance will be applied. Additionally, interviews will be conducted to provide a deeper understanding of the perceived performance and difficulties. Expected Results: F-CaST will lead to improved rehabilitation success and treatment duration, better compliance with TC requirements, and greater satisfaction, compared to control group.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
46
F-CaST, a client-centered care, is a functional cognitive sensory intervention focusing on improving Executive Function (EF) and sensory modulation impairments using a modification of the Functional and Cognitive Occupational Therapy Treatment.
Malkishua
Afula, Israel
Change The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM)
The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) is a client-centered outcome measure for individuals to identify and prioritize everyday issues that restrict their participation in everyday living. Participants will define three goals, and rate their current performance \& satisfaction for each goal using a 10-point scale. Higher scores indicate better outcomes.
Time frame: Change in The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure between pre (T1-week 0) to T2 (post-intervention 8-9 weeks later), to T3 (follow-up- one month later) and T4 (follow-up- three months later). Higher scores indicate better outcomes
Length of stay in Therapeutic Community
Length of stay (days) residing in Therapeutic Community. Longer time spent in the TC is better.
Time frame: At T4 ( three months later after follow-up) or earlier (when they leave the TC)
Change in Performance in the Therapeutic Community
Participant performance in the Therapeutic Community will be based on the community counselor's evaluation. Better performance is better
Time frame: Change in Performance in the Therapeutic Community between pre (T1-week 0) - to post (T2- post-intervention 8-9 weeks later) to T3 (follow-up- one month later) and T4 (follow-up- three months later).
Change in number of times coming late for scheduled appointments
Number of times coming late for scheduled appointments. Less times of coming late is better.
Time frame: Change in number of times coming late for scheduled appointments between pre (T1-week 0) - to post (T2- post-intervention 8-9 weeks later) to T3 (follow-up- one month later) and T4 (follow-up- three months later).
Four Item Tablet Test (4ITT)
Performance test of executive functioning via a quick online shopping task using a tablet. Scores will include shopping time \& mistakes - less time with less mistakes is better shopping performance.
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Time frame: Change between pre (T1-week 0) to T2 (post-intervention 8-9 weeks later), T3 (follow-up- one month later) and T4 (follow-up- three months later)]
Color Trails Test (CTT)
A pen and paper neuropsychological test used to measure cognitive flexibility and processing speed. The CTT includes two parts: (1) CTT part 1 requires to connect a series of 25 numbered circles that are scattered on a sheet of paper and (2) CTT part 2 requires to connect numbered circles from 1 to 25 in sequence alternating between two colors-pink and yellow (1-pink, 2-yellow, 3-pink, 4-yellow…). The time (seconds) to complete each part will be recorded. Completion time (up to 240 seconds) translated to standardized score by normative data correcting for age and years of education. The CTT is widely used in a variety of populations and was found as a valid and reliable measure with a variety of populations. Less time (secs) indicates better executive function.
Time frame: Change between pre (T1-week 0) to T2 (post-intervention 8-9 weeks later), T3 (follow-up- one month later) and T4 (follow-up- three months later)]
Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Adult Version (BRIEF-A)
A 75-item questionnaire assessing EF in everyday environments. BRIEF-A is composed of nine clinical scales which form two indices: (i) the Behavioral Regulations Index (BRI), and (ii) the Metacognition Index (MI). The BRI and MI together produce an overall Global Executive Composite (GEC). Based on the past 30 days, items are graded on a 3-point scale: 'never' (1), 'sometimes' (2), or 'always' (3). The raw scores are converted to T-scores where a score of 65 or higher denotes a clinical deficit. Higher scores indicate worse outcomes.
Time frame: Change between pre (T1-week 0) to T2 (post-intervention 8-9 weeks later), T3 (follow-up- one month later) and T4 (follow-up- three months later)]
Computerized cognitive assessment battery (CANTAB)
Two computerized tasks from the Cambridge Automatic Neuropsychological Test Battery (CANTAB) subtests will be used to assess multitasking and working memory. The tasks will be administered using a touchscreen tablet: The Multitasking Test (MTT) Spatial Working Memory (SWM)
Time frame: Change between pre (T1-week 0) to T2 (post-intervention 8-9 weeks later), T3 (follow-up- one month later) and T4 (follow-up- three months later)]
The Self-Regulation Skills Interview
A semi-structured interview composed of six questions that assess a range of metacognitive skills essential for rehabilitation planning, monitoring an individual's progress, and evaluating the outcome of treatment interventions. The six questions are applied to a main area of difficulty experienced in everyday living as identified by the individual.
Time frame: Change between pre (T1-week 0) to T2 (post-intervention 8-9 weeks later), T3 (follow-up- one month later) and T4 (follow-up- three months later)]
The Sensory Responsiveness Questionnaire-Intensity Scale
A 58-item questionnaire aimed at clinically classifying sensory modulation dysfunction in adults. Items represent typical daily life situations involving auditory, visual, gustatory, olfactory, vestibular and somatosensory sensations, excluding pain. Items are phrased either in a hedonic or aversive valence and are graded on a 5-point Likert scale: 'not at all' (1) to 'very much' (5). Two cut-off scores are provided.
Time frame: Change between pre (T1-week 0) to T2 (post-intervention 8-9 weeks later), T3 (follow-up- one month later) and T4 (follow-up- three months later)]
The Pain Sensitivity Questionnaire
A 17 item questionnaire aimed to quantify everyday somatosensory pain sensitivity to imagined painful daily life situations. Participants rate the intensity of imagined pain on a 10-point scale: 'not painful at all' (0) to 'the worst pain imaginable' (10). The Pain Sensitivity Questionnaire provides a total score and two sub-scores.
Time frame: Change between pre (T1-week 0) to T2 (post-intervention 8-9 weeks later), T3 (follow-up- one month later) and T4 (follow-up- three months later)]
The New General Self-Efficacy Scale
An 8-item measure that assesses how much people believe they can achieve their goals despite their difficulties. Each of the eight statements (e.g. "Even when things are tough, I can perform quite well") are rated using a 5-point rating scale: 'strongly disagree' (1) to 'strongly agree' (5); higher scores indicate higher self-efficacy.
Time frame: Change between pre (T1-week 0) to T2 (post-intervention 8-9 weeks later), T3 (follow-up- one month later) and T4 (follow-up- three months later)]
Satisfaction with Life Scale
A self-report questionnaire measuring global life satisfaction. This scale examines the cognitive component of subjective well-being and consists of five statements that reflect the overall satisfaction of an individual's life. Responders are asked to rate the level of agreement with each statement on a scale ranging from 1 (total disagreement) to 7 (total agreement). Higher scores indicate better life satisfaction.
Time frame: Change between pre (T1-week 0) to T2 (post-intervention 8-9 weeks later), T3 (follow-up- one month later) and T4 (follow-up- three months later)]
In-depth semi-structured interview
A semi-structured interview, comprising of 5 open-end questions aiming to understand how adults with SUD perceive their performance at the TC and the link between their performance to their executive functioning and sensory modulation disorder. The interview will comprise questions such as What, in your opinion, can explain your performance? Each time point will be analyzed separately.
Time frame: Pre (T1-week 0), T2 (post-intervention 8-9 weeks later), T3 (follow-up- one month later) and T4 (follow-up- three months later)
The World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0) - 12 item version
Assesses activity limitations and participation restrictions in daily activities. The WHODAS 2.0 comprises six major life domains yielding the sub-scales: Cognition; Household (life activity); Mobility; Self-care; Social; and Participation in Society. Items are graded on a 5-point Likert scale: "none" (0) to "extreme" (4), where higher scores denote higher disability.
Time frame: Change between pre (T1-week 0) to T2 (post-intervention 8-9 weeks later), T3 (follow-up- one month later) and T4 (follow-up- three months later)