Electroconvulsive Treatment Followed by Cognitive Control Training (ECT-CCT)

November 27, 2023 updated by: University Ghent

Cognitive Remediation Following Electroconvulsive Therapy in Patients With Treatment Resistant Depression: Randomized Controlled Trail of an Intervention for Relapse Prevention

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).

Study Overview

Detailed Description

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 the 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

Enrollment (Actual)

21

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Locations

      • Gent, Belgium, 9000
        • UZ Gent (University Hospital Ghent)

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years to 70 years (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • aged between 18 and 70 years old
  • current major depressive episode with treatment resistance
  • eligibility and consent for ECT treatment
  • ability to provide consent to study

Exclusion Criteria:

  • neurodegenerative disorder or Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) < 18
  • catatonia
  • schizophrenia
  • alcohol use disorder in previous year
  • prior ECT treatment
  • insufficient computer knowledge or analphabetism

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Double

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Cognitive control training
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.
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.
Other Names:
  • aPASAT
Active Comparator: Active Control
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.
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.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in severity of depressive symptoms, clinician-rated (HAM-D)
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
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.
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)
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
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.
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)
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
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.
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

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Subjective memory complaints (SSMQ)
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
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.
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)
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
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'.
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)
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
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 major depression. 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.
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)
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
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.
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)
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
Neuropsychological test to assess capacity and rate of information processing as well as sustained and divided attention.
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
Time Frame: 1 - 30 days after CCT training completion
Qualitative interviews will be conducted with a maximum of 20 patients and family members to explore acceptability of the ECT procedure and the intervention.
1 - 30 days after CCT training completion
Time to relapse
Time Frame: Up to 6 months monitoring
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.
Up to 6 months monitoring
Facial features from video footage
Time Frame: 2 weeks during CCT or placebo intervention
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.
2 weeks during CCT or placebo intervention

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Investigators

  • Study Director: Gilbert Lemmens, University Hospital, Ghent
  • Principal Investigator: Marie-Ann Vanderhasselt, University Hospital, Ghent

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

May 10, 2020

Primary Completion (Actual)

June 14, 2023

Study Completion (Actual)

July 1, 2023

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

May 7, 2020

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 11, 2020

First Posted (Actual)

May 12, 2020

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

November 30, 2023

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

November 27, 2023

Last Verified

November 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

Other Study ID Numbers

  • EC/2017/0970

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

IPD Plan Description

The datasets generated and/or analyzed during the current study are not publicly available due to confidentiality issues but are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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