Transferring Speed of Processing Gains to Everyday Cognitive Tasks After Stroke

NCT ID: NCT05162781

Last Updated: 2025-07-29

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

Get a concise snapshot of the trial, including recruitment status, study phase, enrollment targets, and key timeline milestones.

Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

82 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2022-06-09

Study Completion Date

2026-12-31

Brief Summary

Review the sponsor-provided synopsis that highlights what the study is about and why it is being conducted.

This study will compare two approaches to cognitive rehabilitation in adults with stroke with persistent, mild to moderate, cognitive impairment. Both approaches will feature a web-based computer "game" that trains cognitive processing speed, i.e., how quickly individuals process information that they receive through their senses. This training is termed Speed of Processing Training (SOPT). One approach will add (A) in-lab training on everyday activities with important cognitive components and (B) procedures designed to transfer improvements in cognition from the treatment setting to everyday life. This approach is termed Constraint-Induced Cognitive Therapy (CICT). The other approach will add (A) in-lab training on relaxation, healthy nutrition, and healthy sleep and (B) procedures designed to promote integration of these lifestyle changes into everyday life. This approach is termed Brain Fitness-Heath Education Lifestyle Program (BF-HELP).

Both CICT and BF-HELP will involve 35 hours of training. Ten 1-hour sessions of SOPT will be scheduled in the home with training conducted independently by participants. Ten 2.5 hours of in-lab, face-to-face, therapist directed sessions will be scheduled. These sessions will feature a brief period of SOPT; the bulk of the sessions will be committed to in-lab training on the target behaviors and the procedures designed to promote transfer of therapeutic gains to daily life; The set of the latter procedures is termed the Transfer Package. To accommodate the demands of participants' other activities, training sessions will be permitted to be scheduled as tightly as every weekday over 2 weeks or as loosely as every other weekday or so over 4 weeks. Family caregivers in both groups will also receive training on how to best support participants in their therapeutic program.

The study will also test if there is an advantage to placing follow-up phone calls after treatment ends. The purpose of the calls will be to support transition of any behavioral changes achieved during treatment into everyday life on a long-term basis.

Participants will be randomly assigned to the interventions.

Testing will happen one month before treatment, one day before treatment, one day afterwards, and 6-months afterwards. Outcomes measured will include cognitive processing speed, cognitive function on laboratory tests, and spontaneous performance of everyday activities with important cognitive components in daily life.

Detailed Description

Dive into the extended narrative that explains the scientific background, objectives, and procedures in greater depth.

Conditions

See the medical conditions and disease areas that this research is targeting or investigating.

Stroke Cognitive Dysfunction

Study Design

Understand how the trial is structured, including allocation methods, masking strategies, primary purpose, and other design elements.

Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Half of the participants will receive CICT, which consists of SOPT, IADL training in the lab, and a Transfer Package targeting IADL performance outside it. The other half will receive BF-HELP, which consists of SOPT, in-lab training on relaxation, nutrition, and sleep hygiene, and a Transfer Package targeting implementation of these lifestyle changes outside it. Half of the CICT group will receive 9 follow-up phone calls over the course of six months. The other CICT participants will receive none. The same will apply to the BF-HELP group. The phone calls will support integration of the behavioral changes targeted during treatment to everyday life afterwards.

For all participants, outcome testing will take place one month before treatment (Baseline 1), one day before treatment (Baseline 2 aka Pre-treatment), one day afterwards (Post-treatment), and 6-months afterwards (6-month Follow-up). Randomization will take place after Baseline 2.
Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

SINGLE

Outcome Assessors
Tester will be blinded to group assignment of participants.

Study Groups

Review each arm or cohort in the study, along with the interventions and objectives associated with them.

CICT with Follow-up Phone Calls

Participants in this group will receive 35 hours of training. Ten 1-hour sessions of SOPT will be scheduled in the home with training conducted independently by participants. Ten 2.5 hours of in-lab, face-to-face, therapist directed sessions will be scheduled. These sessions will feature a brief period of SOPT; the bulk of the sessions will be committed to (A) shaping on IADL and (B) the Cognitive Transfer Package. Training sessions will be permitted to be scheduled over 2-4 weeks. Family caregivers will receive training on how to best support participants in their therapeutic program. After treatment ends, four phone calls will be placed once-a-week for four weeks, then once-a-month for 5 months. The follow-up calls will target transition of any changes achieved during treatment into everyday life on a long-term basis.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Speed of Processing Training

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

This training component targets cognitive processing speed, i.e., how quickly individuals process information that they receive through their senses. Cognitive processing speed is thought to be a basic capacity of the brain that underlies several other cognitive functions. Training is implemented using a web-based computer "game", in which participants are required to fixate on a target at the center of the screen and identify targets in the periphery. The game is made progressively more difficult, in small increments, as participants gain mastery by increasing the speed at which targets are presented and increasing the number of distractors.

Instrumental Activities of Daily Living In-lab Training

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

The training component is thought to bridge SOPT training, which targets a basic cognitive capacity, and IADL performance in daily life. This training component will involve repeated trials in which participants will practice carrying out simulated IADL tasks in the lab under the supervision of the trainer. The training will follow shaping principles, i.e., task requirements will be made progressively more challenging, in small increments, as participants gain mastery. Frequent, positive feedback will be provided.

Cognitive Transfer Packagke

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

This training component is designed to transfer improvements in cognition from the treatment setting to everyday life. Elements of this package include negotiating a behavioral contract about the roles of the participant and family caregiver in the treatment, monitoring behavior outside the lab, and assigning performance of IADL as homework.

Family Caregiver Coaching

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

One or more family members of the participant will receive coaching on how to best support the participant in carrying out the in-home components of the intervention.

Follow-up Phone Calls

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

After treatment ends, four phone calls will be placed once-a-week for four weeks, then once-a-month for 5 months. The follow-up calls will target transition of any changes achieved during treatment into everyday life on a long-term basis after.

CICT without Follow-up Phone Calls

Participants in this group will receive 35 hours of training. Ten 1-hour sessions of SOPT will be scheduled in the home with training conducted independently by participants. Ten 2.5 hours of in-lab, face-to-face, therapist directed sessions will be scheduled. These sessions will feature a brief period of SOPT; the bulk of the sessions will be committed to (A) shaping on IADL and (B) the Cognitive Transfer Package. Training sessions will be permitted to be scheduled over 2-4 weeks. Family caregivers will receive training on how to best support participants in their therapeutic program. No follow-up phone calls will be made after treatment ends.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Speed of Processing Training

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

This training component targets cognitive processing speed, i.e., how quickly individuals process information that they receive through their senses. Cognitive processing speed is thought to be a basic capacity of the brain that underlies several other cognitive functions. Training is implemented using a web-based computer "game", in which participants are required to fixate on a target at the center of the screen and identify targets in the periphery. The game is made progressively more difficult, in small increments, as participants gain mastery by increasing the speed at which targets are presented and increasing the number of distractors.

Instrumental Activities of Daily Living In-lab Training

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

The training component is thought to bridge SOPT training, which targets a basic cognitive capacity, and IADL performance in daily life. This training component will involve repeated trials in which participants will practice carrying out simulated IADL tasks in the lab under the supervision of the trainer. The training will follow shaping principles, i.e., task requirements will be made progressively more challenging, in small increments, as participants gain mastery. Frequent, positive feedback will be provided.

Cognitive Transfer Packagke

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

This training component is designed to transfer improvements in cognition from the treatment setting to everyday life. Elements of this package include negotiating a behavioral contract about the roles of the participant and family caregiver in the treatment, monitoring behavior outside the lab, and assigning performance of IADL as homework.

Family Caregiver Coaching

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

One or more family members of the participant will receive coaching on how to best support the participant in carrying out the in-home components of the intervention.

BF-HELP with Follow-up Phone Calls

Participants in this group will receive 35 hours of training. Ten 1-hour sessions of SOPT will be scheduled in the home with training conducted independently by participants. Ten 2.5 hours of in-lab, face-to-face, therapist directed sessions will be scheduled. These sessions will feature a brief period of SOPT; the bulk of the sessions will be committed to (A) training on relaxation, healthy nutrition, and healthy sleep, and (B) the Healthy Lifestyle Transfer Package. Training sessions will be permitted to be scheduled over 2-4 weeks. Family caregivers will receive training on how to best support participants in their therapeutic program. After treatment ends, four phone calls will be placed once-a-week for four weeks, then once-a-month for 5 months. The follow-up calls will target transition of any changes achieved during treatment into everyday life on a long-term basis.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Speed of Processing Training

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

This training component targets cognitive processing speed, i.e., how quickly individuals process information that they receive through their senses. Cognitive processing speed is thought to be a basic capacity of the brain that underlies several other cognitive functions. Training is implemented using a web-based computer "game", in which participants are required to fixate on a target at the center of the screen and identify targets in the periphery. The game is made progressively more difficult, in small increments, as participants gain mastery by increasing the speed at which targets are presented and increasing the number of distractors.

Family Caregiver Coaching

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

One or more family members of the participant will receive coaching on how to best support the participant in carrying out the in-home components of the intervention.

Follow-up Phone Calls

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

After treatment ends, four phone calls will be placed once-a-week for four weeks, then once-a-month for 5 months. The follow-up calls will target transition of any changes achieved during treatment into everyday life on a long-term basis after.

Healthy Lifestyle In-lab Training

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

This training component is designed to promote lifestyle changes that support brain fitness. Participants will receive education and coaching in the lab on relaxation, healthy nutrition, and healthy sleep.

Healthy Lifestyle Transfer Package

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

This training component is designed to support integration into everyday life of the lifestyle changes training in the lab. Elements of this package include negotiating a behavioral contract about the roles of the participant and family caregiver in the treatment, monitoring behavior outside the lab, and assigning relaxation exercises, for example, as homework.

BF-HELP without Follow-up Phone Calls

Participants in this group will receive 35 hours of training. Ten 1-hour sessions of SOPT will be scheduled in the home with training conducted independently by participants. Ten 2.5 hours of in-lab, face-to-face, therapist directed sessions will be scheduled. These sessions will feature a brief period of SOPT; the bulk of the sessions will be committed to (A) training on relaxation, healthy nutrition, and healthy sleep, and (B) the Healthy Lifestyle Transfer Package. Training sessions will be permitted to be scheduled over 2-4 weeks. Family caregivers will receive training on how to best support participants in their therapeutic program. No follow-up phone calls will be made after treatment ends.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Speed of Processing Training

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

This training component targets cognitive processing speed, i.e., how quickly individuals process information that they receive through their senses. Cognitive processing speed is thought to be a basic capacity of the brain that underlies several other cognitive functions. Training is implemented using a web-based computer "game", in which participants are required to fixate on a target at the center of the screen and identify targets in the periphery. The game is made progressively more difficult, in small increments, as participants gain mastery by increasing the speed at which targets are presented and increasing the number of distractors.

Family Caregiver Coaching

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

One or more family members of the participant will receive coaching on how to best support the participant in carrying out the in-home components of the intervention.

Follow-up Phone Calls

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

After treatment ends, four phone calls will be placed once-a-week for four weeks, then once-a-month for 5 months. The follow-up calls will target transition of any changes achieved during treatment into everyday life on a long-term basis after.

Healthy Lifestyle In-lab Training

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

This training component is designed to promote lifestyle changes that support brain fitness. Participants will receive education and coaching in the lab on relaxation, healthy nutrition, and healthy sleep.

Healthy Lifestyle Transfer Package

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

This training component is designed to support integration into everyday life of the lifestyle changes training in the lab. Elements of this package include negotiating a behavioral contract about the roles of the participant and family caregiver in the treatment, monitoring behavior outside the lab, and assigning relaxation exercises, for example, as homework.

Interventions

Learn about the drugs, procedures, or behavioral strategies being tested and how they are applied within this trial.

Speed of Processing Training

This training component targets cognitive processing speed, i.e., how quickly individuals process information that they receive through their senses. Cognitive processing speed is thought to be a basic capacity of the brain that underlies several other cognitive functions. Training is implemented using a web-based computer "game", in which participants are required to fixate on a target at the center of the screen and identify targets in the periphery. The game is made progressively more difficult, in small increments, as participants gain mastery by increasing the speed at which targets are presented and increasing the number of distractors.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Instrumental Activities of Daily Living In-lab Training

The training component is thought to bridge SOPT training, which targets a basic cognitive capacity, and IADL performance in daily life. This training component will involve repeated trials in which participants will practice carrying out simulated IADL tasks in the lab under the supervision of the trainer. The training will follow shaping principles, i.e., task requirements will be made progressively more challenging, in small increments, as participants gain mastery. Frequent, positive feedback will be provided.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Cognitive Transfer Packagke

This training component is designed to transfer improvements in cognition from the treatment setting to everyday life. Elements of this package include negotiating a behavioral contract about the roles of the participant and family caregiver in the treatment, monitoring behavior outside the lab, and assigning performance of IADL as homework.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Family Caregiver Coaching

One or more family members of the participant will receive coaching on how to best support the participant in carrying out the in-home components of the intervention.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Follow-up Phone Calls

After treatment ends, four phone calls will be placed once-a-week for four weeks, then once-a-month for 5 months. The follow-up calls will target transition of any changes achieved during treatment into everyday life on a long-term basis after.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Healthy Lifestyle In-lab Training

This training component is designed to promote lifestyle changes that support brain fitness. Participants will receive education and coaching in the lab on relaxation, healthy nutrition, and healthy sleep.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Healthy Lifestyle Transfer Package

This training component is designed to support integration into everyday life of the lifestyle changes training in the lab. Elements of this package include negotiating a behavioral contract about the roles of the participant and family caregiver in the treatment, monitoring behavior outside the lab, and assigning relaxation exercises, for example, as homework.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Other Intervention Names

Discover alternative or legacy names that may be used to describe the listed interventions across different sources.

SOPT IADL In-lab Training

Eligibility Criteria

Check the participation requirements, including inclusion and exclusion rules, age limits, and whether healthy volunteers are accepted.

Inclusion Criteria

* stroke \> 3 months previously
* mild-to-moderate general cognitive impairment as determined by a Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) score between 10-26
* some impairment in performance of daily activities; this will be determined by a score of 3.5 or below on the Cognitive Task Activity Log (CTAL)


* 40 years or older; no upper limit if medically stable
* sufficiently fit, from both a physical and mental health perspective, to take part in study
* adequate sight and hearing to complete UFOV test
* adequate thinking skills, e.g., ability to follow directions, retain information, to complete UFOV and CTAL, as marked by judgement of the screener that the candidate is able to adequately complete the UFOV and CTAL
* reside in the community (as opposed to a hospital or skilled nursing facility)
* able to travel to laboratory on multiple occasions
* caregiver available

Exclusion Criteria

* cognitive impairment due to a developmental disability, psychiatric disorder, or substance abuse or due to another type of brain injury, such a traumatic brain injury, or a progressive brain disease, such as Alzheimer's Dementia
Minimum Eligible Age

40 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

Meet the organizations funding or collaborating on the study and learn about their roles.

National Institute on Aging (NIA)

NIH

Sponsor Role collaborator

Posit Science

UNKNOWN

Sponsor Role collaborator

University of Alabama at Birmingham

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

Identify the individual or organization who holds primary responsibility for the study information submitted to regulators.

Gitendra Uswatte

Professor

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Learn about the lead researchers overseeing the trial and their institutional affiliations.

Gitendra Uswatte, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Locations

Explore where the study is taking place and check the recruitment status at each participating site.

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Birmingham, Alabama, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

Review the countries where the study has at least one active or historical site.

United States

Central Contacts

Reach out to these primary contacts for questions about participation or study logistics.

Staci McKay, BS

Role: CONTACT

205-934-9768

Helen Bliss, BS

Role: CONTACT

205-934-0433

Facility Contacts

Find local site contact details for specific facilities participating in the trial.

Staci McKay, BS

Role: primary

205-934-9768

Helen Bliss, BS

Role: backup

205-934-0433

Other Identifiers

Review additional registry numbers or institutional identifiers associated with this trial.

1R01AG070049-01A1

Identifier Type: NIH

Identifier Source: secondary_id

View Link

IRB-300008211

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

More Related Trials

Additional clinical trials that may be relevant based on similarity analysis.