Cognitive Skills Training for Homeless Youth

NCT ID: NCT01815398

Last Updated: 2017-03-28

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 188 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2012-07-31
• Study Completion Date: 2017-01-31

Brief Summary

Many young people who are homeless have cognitive deficits which impede their ability to secure and maintain employment. This study looks to see if targeting cognitive deficits can improve cognition and vocational outcome.

Detailed Description

The aim of this research is to conduct a controlled study of cognitive remediation, to provide feasibility data on adapting an established empirically-based cognitive intervention for homeless youth to help them attain vocational goals. The ultimate purpose is that youth will improve in cognitive functioning and have better functional outcomes including jobs to sustain independent living.

The results of this study will inform a larger trial on the efficacy of cognitive remediation in homeless youth to improve cognition and vocational outcomes. Hypotheses are that, compared to those in an active control group receiving computerized work-skills training, individuals who receive cognitive remediation will show greater cognitive benefits on proximal measures of neurocognition and evidence better vocational outcome as defined by greater number of hours worked. This study will address the service gap in the use of integrated psychosocial interventions for homeless populations as the first investigation of cognitive remediation in homeless youth.

Conditions

Affective Disorders; Anxiety Disorders; Attention Deficit Disorder; Substance Abuse

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: SINGLE

Study Groups

Computer skills training

26 sessions conducted 2-3 times a week to train in computer skills related to the workforce.

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Computer Skills Training

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Participants utilize an interactive software program that delivers tutorials, lessons, and practice sessions to develop computer skills for office based employment. During the learning activities, the clinician offers coaching and assistance in setting up computerized training exercises as needed.

Cognitive Remediation

26 sessions conducted 2-3 times a week of cognitive remediation

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Cognitive Remediation

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Neuropsychological Educational Approach to Remediation (NEAR) is an evidence based, manualized cognitive remediation program that targets cognitive deficits (eg memory, processing speed, executive functioning, working memory and attention) with the intent of improving daily functioning.NEAR is conducted in a small group setting, allowing for supportive social interaction while participants work at their own computer station on engaging computerized activities that are selected to address their unique profile of cognitive deficits. Then, as a group they discuss how their respective cognitive activities will help them achieve their vocational goals.

Interventions

Cognitive Remediation

Neuropsychological Educational Approach to Remediation (NEAR) is an evidence based, manualized cognitive remediation program that targets cognitive deficits (eg memory, processing speed, executive functioning, working memory and attention) with the intent of improving daily functioning.NEAR is conducted in a small group setting, allowing for supportive social interaction while participants work at their own computer station on engaging computerized activities that are selected to address their unique profile of cognitive deficits. Then, as a group they discuss how their respective cognitive activities will help them achieve their vocational goals.

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Computer Skills Training

Participants utilize an interactive software program that delivers tutorials, lessons, and practice sessions to develop computer skills for office based employment. During the learning activities, the clinician offers coaching and assistance in setting up computerized training exercises as needed.

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Other Intervention Names

NEAR

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• have a current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV) Axis I diagnosis
• residing at Covenant House New York Rights of Passage Program
• psychiatrically stable for at least 21 days
• English speaking

Exclusion Criteria

• mental retardation (<70 Intelligence Quotient; IQ) on premorbid intelligence estimate)
• risk for suicide or violence
• unremitted substance dependence within the past 6 weeks

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 22 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

NIH

Sponsor Role: collaborator

New York State Psychiatric Institute

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

Alice A Medalia, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Columbia University

Locations

Covenant House New York

New York, New York, United States

Countries

United States

References

Saperstein AM, Lee S, Ronan EJ, Seeman RS, Medalia A. Cognitive deficit and mental health in homeless transition-age youth. Pediatrics. 2014 Jul;134(1):e138-45. doi: 10.1542/peds.2013-4302.

Reference Type: DERIVED

PMID: 24958581 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

1R21MH092569-01A1

Identifier Type: NIH

Identifier Source: secondary_id

View Link

#6586

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id