Major depressive disorder (MDD) is worldwide one of the most prevalent and disabling mental health conditions. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a safe and effective treatment even though 6-month relapse rates are high. Cognitive side effects of ECT, such as reduced cognitive control, might trigger mechanisms that increase relapse in patients. As such, cognitive control training (CCT) holds promise as a non-pharmacological strategy to improve long-term effects of ECT (i.e., increase remission, and reduce depression relapse).
Eighty-eight participants aged between 18-70 years with major depressive disorder who start electroconvulsive treatment (ECT) will be included in this randomized controlled trial (RCT). Following (partial) response to ECT treatment (at least a 25% reduction of clinical symptoms), participants will be randomly assigned to a computer based CCT or active placebo control. A first aim of this RCT is to assess the effects of CCT compared to an active placebo condition on depression symptomatology, cognitive complaints, and quality of life. Secondly, participants will be monitored every two weeks for a period of six months following CCT/active placebo, allowing the detection of potential relapse of depression. Thirdly, the investigators will assess participant evaluation of the addition of cognitive remediation to ECT using qualitative interview methods (satisfaction, acceptability and appropriateness). Finally, in order to further advance our understanding of the mechanisms underlying effects of CCT, exploratory analyses may be conducted using facial video footage collected during the CCT/active control phase of the study.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
21
Cognitive Control Training (CCT) makes use of a very basic cognitive task that strongly loads on working memory and cognitive control processes, namely the adaptive Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task (aPASAT) where participants are given a number every 3 seconds and are asked to add the number they just heard with the number they heard before. Task difficulty is modified based on the participants current task performance, allowing training of cognitive control. Participants in the intervention group will start the CCT training after completion of ECT with a maximum time interval of 7 days. Training sessions will be performed on a tablet or computer and participants will complete five sessions per week (20 minutes per session) for a period of two weeks.
Participants in the active control group will start placebo training after completion of ECT with a maximum time interval of 7 days. The placebo task consists of a task similar to the experimental condition but that does not train cognitive control. Prior research confirmed that this condition controls for non-specific effects of the training and motivational issues. Participants will perform the sessions on a tablet or computer and complete five sessions per week (20 minutes per session) for a period of two weeks.
Ghent University Hospital
Ghent, Belgium
Change in severity of depressive symptoms, clinician-rated (HAM-D)
The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) is a clinician rated questionnaire with 17 items scored on a three or five-point Likert-type scale. Amongst other symptoms of depression, items include mood, insomnia and suicidal ideations. Higher scores indicate increased severity of depression with a maximum score of 50 and minimum of 0.
Time frame: 1-7 days before first ECT session, 1-7 days post ECT completion, 1-7 days after intervention/placebo completion, 3 months after ECT completion, and 6 months after ECT completion
Change in severity of depressive symptoms, self-reported (BDI-II)
The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) is a 21-item self-report questionnaire regarding symptoms of depression with good validity and reliability. Higher scores indicate increased severity of depression. Minimum score is 0 and 63 is the maximum score.
Time frame: 1-7 days before first ECT session, 1-7 days post ECT completion, 1-7 days after intervention/placebo completion, 3 months after ECT completion, and 6 months after ECT completion
Change in depressive symptoms and quality of life, self-reported (RDQ)
The Remission from Depression Questionnaire (RDQ) will inform about seven domains: symptoms of depression, non-depressive symptoms, features of positive mental health, coping ability, functioning, life satisfaction and a general sense of well-being. The RDQ is a 41-item questionnaire. Higher scores indicate increased severity of depression. Minimum score is 0 and 82 is the maximum score.
Time frame: 1-7 days before first ECT session, 1-7 days post ECT completion, 1-7 days after intervention/placebo completion, 3 months after ECT completion, and 6 months after ECT completion
Subjective memory complaints (SSMQ)
To assess subjective cognitive functioning the Dutch version of the Squire Subjective Memory Questionnaire (SSMQ) (Squire, Wetzel et al. 1979) will be administered. this is a self-report questionnaire consisting of 18 items. The patients' answers are scored between -4 (worse than before), 0 (same as before), and +4 (better than before) points, the sum of which are added together to obtain a final score. A negative score shows an increase in the degree of forgetfulness.
Time frame: 1-7 days before first ECT session, 1-7 days post ECT completion, 1-7 days after intervention/placebo completion, 3 months after ECT completion, and 6 months after ECT completion
Quality of Life in Depression Scale (QLDS)
This 34-item questionnaire, developed by qualitative interviews, asks patients to rate statements regarding fulfillment of universal human needs such as 'I take good care of myself' and 'I like to know what is going on in the world'.
Time frame: 1-7 days before first ECT session, 1-7 days post ECT completion, 1-7 days after intervention/placebo completion, 3 months after ECT completion, and 6 months after ECT completion
Rumination (RRS-10)
The Ruminative Response Scale (RRS-10) will be used to monitor rumination or repetitive negative thinking as this is a well-established cognitive risk factor for MDE. This patient-rated scale consists of 10 items. A higher score indicates a higher degree of rumination with a minimum score of 10 and maximum score of 40.
Time frame: 1-7 days before first ECT session, 1-7 days post ECT completion, 1-7 days after intervention/placebo completion, 3 months after ECT completion, and 6 months after ECT completion
Cognition (CANTAB)
Pattern Recognition Memory (measuring visual pattern recognition memory) and One Touch Stockings of Cambridge (measuring spatial spanning and working memory). A third test, Motor Screening was included to measure general sensorimotor skills.
Time frame: 1-7 days before first ECT session, 1-7 days post ECT completion, 1-7 days after intervention/placebo completion, 3 months after ECT completion, and 6 months after ECT completion
Cognition (Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task - PASAT)
Neuropsychological test to assess capacity and rate of information processing as well as sustained and divided attention.
Time frame: 1-7 days before first ECT session, 1-7 days post ECT completion, 1-7 days after intervention/placebo completion, 3 months after ECT completion and 6 months after ECT completion
Acceptability and satisfaction
Qualitative interviews will be conducted with a maximum of 20 patients and family members to explore acceptability of the ECT procedure and the intervention.
Time frame: 1 - 30 days after CCT training completion
Time to relapse
By decreasing depression symptomatology we expect a decrease in relapse rates and a prolonged time-to-relapse-interval as measured by telephone interviews, once every two weeks, in patients who achieve remission.
Time frame: Up to 6 months monitoring
Facial features from video footage
During CCT or placebo training facial video footage will be collected from which different facial features will be extracted with the use of automated algorithms. These facial features could give insight into working processes during cognitive training versus placebo training. Certain facial features have shown to be indicative of learning, engagement and depressive symptomatology.
Time frame: 2 weeks during CCT or placebo intervention
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