Goal Management Training and Computerized Cognitive Training in Depression-a 2-Year Follow-Up of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Goal management training for improving fatigue in children and adolescents with acquired brain injuries: A 2-year follow-up of a randomised controlled trial

To explore the long-term effectiveness of a paediatric adaptation of Goal Management Training (pGMT), relative to a psychoeducative program (pBHW), in reducing fatigue after pABI 2 years post-intervention. Thirty-eight youths and their parents completed the Paediatric Quality of Life - Multidimensional Fatigue Scale. Primary outcome measures were Total Fatigue Score, General fatigue, Cognitive fatigue, and Sleep/rest fatigue (parent-report). No significant differences in fatigue symptoms by the parental report was observed between the intervention groups at the 2-year follow-up (total score: F = .16, p = .69; general fatigue: F = .36, p = .55; sleep/rest: F = .48, p = .49; and cognitive fatigue: F = .09, p = .76), nor any time*group interactions (total score: F = .25, p = .86; general fatigue: F = .39, p = .76; sleep/rest: F = .20, p = .89; and cognitive fatigue: F = .08, p = .97). In total, 45% of the participants in the pGMT group and 25% in the pBHW group demonstrated a reliable positive clinical change. The significant improvements in fatigue symptoms that were demonstrated 6 months post-intervention could not be confirmed in this 2-year follow-up study. However, a continued positive tendency on most dimensions of fatigue for the participants in the pGMT group could be observed, suggesting that cognitive rehabilitation may help reduce fatigue.

Improvement of anxiety in ADHD following goal-focused cognitive remediation: a randomized controlled trial

Introduction

Despite the high prevalence and detrimental consequences of cognitive and executive dysfunction in ADHD, the evidence base of cognitive remediation in the adult ADHD population is sparse. Executive problems can increase both anxiety and depression in ADHD. Thcus, it is important to develop treatment options for adults with ADHD, aiming to improve goal-directed behavior and mood. Goal Management Training (GMT) is an intervention that has received empirical support in improving executive functions and mood in normal aging and for various neurological and psychiatric conditions. The present randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of a goal-focused intervention combining 1) group-based GMT incorporating psychoeducation about ADHD and 2) guidance in implementing individual goals for coping with executive problems in everyday life, compared to treatment as usual (TAU). The primary outcome was perceived executive functioning in everyday life. Secondary outcomes included psychological well-being (anxiety, depression, and coping with ADHD symptoms).

Methods

We recruited 81 adult participants with a verified ADHD diagnosis (Mage   = 31 years). Inclusion was based upon the presence of executive functioning complaints. The participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention or TAU. The intervention group (n = 41) received 16 hours of GMT and psychoeducation, in addition to 4 individual sessions focusing on formulating goals. The goals were assessed in 6 bi-weekly phone calls in the first three months following the group sessions. Participants in the TAU group (n = 40) received standard, individually-adapted follow-up in an outpatient psychiatric health care setting. All participants were assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and at 8-month follow-up (main measurement time point).

Results

Significant improvements in everyday executive functioning, psychological wellbeing, and symptoms of ADHD from baseline to 8-month follow-up were reported in both groups. The intervention group reported a significantly higher reduction in symptoms of anxiety compared to TAU. Conclusions. Our findings provide support for considering cognitive remediation as a treatment option for patients with ADHD.Clinical Trial Registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04638283?term=NCT04638283&rank=1, identifier: NCT04638283.

Long-term outcomes of an internet-delivered cognitive enhancement intervention targeting residual cognitive deficits after major depressive disorder: a 2-year follow-up of an open trial

Background

Cognitive deficits are common and disabling residual symptoms following major depressive disorder (MDD) and are related to increased risk of relapse. Residual cognitive deficits should thus be considered an important target for treatment. However, few have reported long-term outcomes of interventions targeting residual cognitive deficits.

Objective

This study aimed to (1) investigate change between pre-treatment and 2-year follow-up assessments in cognitive deficits, rumination, and symptoms of MDD after an internet-delivered intervention targeting residual cognitive deficits; (2) to investigate stability in outcomes between 6-month and 2-year follow-up assessments; (3) to report the number of participants' experiencing a new episode of MDD in the follow-up period; and (4) to investigate differences in outcomes between those who experienced a new episode of MDD and those who did not.

Methods

A total of 43 partly remitted adults were included to test a guided internet-delivered intervention, which consisted of 10 modules involving psychoeducation, cognitive strategies, and attention training. Participants were assessed at pre-treatment, post-treatment, after 6-months, and after 2-years, with measures assessing self-reported residual cognitive deficits, rumination, symptoms of MDD and relapse. Overall, 32 participants completed the 2-year follow-up assessment.

Results

Between the pre-treatment and 2-year follow-up assessments, there was a reduction in cognitive deficits and rumination, while there was an increase in symptoms of MDD. Cognitive deficits were stable between the 6-month and the 2-year follow-up, while there was an increase in rumination and symptoms of MDD. Thirteen of 32 participants reported a new episode of MDD during the follow-up period. The relapse group reported longer duration of MDD at pre-treatment and showed a difference in all outcomes after 2 years compared to the no-relapse group. The no-relapse group showed improvement in MDD symptoms at post-treatment, while the relapse group did not.

Conclusion

Delivering cognitive enhancement interventions over the internet is potentially related to stable improvements in residual cognitive deficits. The effects on rumination and symptoms of MDD are less certain. Lack of improvement in MDD symptoms after the intervention period should be investigated as an indicator of relapse. Results should be interpreted with caution due to the lack of control group and sample size.

Improvement in self-reported cognitive functioning but not in rumination following online working memory training in a two-year follow-up study of remitted major depressive disorder

Self-reported subjective cognitive difficulties (subjective deficits) and rumination are central residual cognitive symptoms following major depressive disorder (MDD). These are risk factors for more a severe course of illness, and despite the considerable relapse risk of MDD, few interventions target the remitted phase, a high-risk period for developing new episodes. Online distribution of interventions could help close this gap. Computerized working memory training (CWMT) shows promising results, but findings are inconclusive regarding which symptoms improve following this intervention, and its long-term effects. This study reports results from a longitudinal open-label two-year follow-up pilot-study of self-reported cognitive residual symptoms following 25 sessions (40 min), five times a week of a digitally delivered CWMT intervention. Ten of 29 patients remitted from MDD completed two-year follow-up assessment. Significant large improvements in self-reported cognitive functioning on the behavior rating inventory of executive function-adult version appeared after two-years (d = 0.98), but no significant improvements were found in rumination (d < 0.308) measured by the ruminative responses scale. The former showed moderate non-significant associations to improvement in CWMT both post-intervention (r = 0.575) and at two-year follow-up (r = 0.308). Strengths in the study included a comprehensive intervention and long follow-up time. Limitations were small sample and no control group. No significant differences between completers and drop-outs were found, however, attrition effects cannot be ruled out and demand characteristics could influence findings. Results suggested lasting improvements in self-reported cognitive functioning following online CWMT. Controlled studies with larger samples should replicate these promising preliminary findings.