F-CaST for Individuals With Substance Use Disorder (F-CaST)

Improving Rehabilitation Compliance and Treatment Duration by Treating Executive Function and Sensory Modulation Deficits in Individuals With Substance Use Disorder: A Randomized Control Trial

Examining the effectiveness of the F-CaST based on a controlled randomized trial in patients with SUD residing in a therapeutic community.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Substance Use Disorders
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Functional Cognitive and Sensory Treatment (F-CaST)

Detailed Description

Background and Aims: Substance use disorder (SUD), an urgent public health concern, is a chronic relapsing brain disorder caused by psychoactive substances, characterized by cognitive, behavioral, and physiological symptoms, severely impacting every life domain. Repeated substance use leads to impairments in higher cognitive abilities, termed executive functions (EF), and leads to SUD chronicity. Furthermore, EF deficits are associated with difficulties in sensory processing, severely limiting daily functions and with reported high incidence in SUD. However, to date both are not addressed therapeutically. This translational study aims to enhance rehabilitation success in patients with SUD residing in a therapeutic community (TC) by employing sensory and EF strategies utilizing the Functional Cognitive and Sensory Treatment (F-CaST), an innovative personalized therapy.

Methods: A qualitative study will be nested in a single-blind, controlled randomized trial, comparing two groups: (i) Experimental group- F-CaST - in which therapy is individually tailored for successful task performance and where the focus is on strategies for improving sensory and EF deficits and (ii) Control group - Standard Care - the typical treatment given in the therapeutic community. Measurement will be conducted by assessors blind to group allocation at 4 time points: T1- pre-intervention; T2- post-intervention; T3- at a 1-month follow-up; and T4- at a 3-month follow-up.

Population: Forty-eight adults diagnosed with SUD, aged 18-45 years, with no significant cognitive deficits, and residing in a TC for SUD.

Tools: Both objective and subjective measures to evaluate TC performance will be applied. Additionally, interviews will be conducted to provide a deeper understanding of the perceived performance and difficulties.

Expected Results: F-CaST will lead to improved rehabilitation success and treatment duration, better compliance with TC requirements, and greater satisfaction, compared to control group.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 46
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Israel
  • Afula, Israel
    • Malkishua

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 45 years (Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion criteria:

• Diagnosed by a psychiatrist and meeting the DSM-V diagnostic criteria for severe SUD
• Admitted to the therapeutic community (TC) for full-length SUD rehabilitation and with no more than 3 previous rehabilitation trials in this TC
• Abstained from drugs and alcohol for at least 14 days (verifying minimum withdrawal effects); and no more than 21 days of TC residency (to ensure familiarization with the facility)
• Without a significant cognitive deficit [the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)≥19/30 points) and adequate language skills

Exclusion Criteria:

• Relapsing substance use in the TC

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Health Services Research
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: F-CaST; The experimental group who will receive the Functional Cognitive and Sensory Treatment (F-CaST)- in which therapy is individually tailored for successful task performance and where the focus is on strategies for improving sensory and EF deficits.	Other: Functional Cognitive and Sensory Treatment (F-CaST); F-CaST, a client-centered care, is a functional cognitive sensory intervention focusing on improving Executive Function (EF) and sensory modulation impairments using a modification of the Functional and Cognitive Occupational Therapy Treatment.; Other Names: Cognitive sensory occupational therapy
No Intervention: Standard Care; Standard care at the therapeutic community for SUD.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM)	The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) is a client-centered outcome measure for individuals to identify and prioritize everyday issues that restrict their participation in everyday living. Participants will define three goals, and rate their current performance & satisfaction for each goal using a 10-point scale. Higher scores indicate better outcomes.	Change in The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure between pre (T1-week 0) to T2 (post-intervention 8-9 weeks later), to T3 (follow-up- one month later) and T4 (follow-up- three months later). Higher scores indicate better outcomes
Length of stay in Therapeutic Community	Length of stay (days) residing in Therapeutic Community. Longer time spent in the TC is better.	At T4 ( three months later after follow-up) or earlier (when they leave the TC)
Change in Performance in the Therapeutic Community	Participant performance in the Therapeutic Community will be based on the community counselor's evaluation. Better performance is better	Change in Performance in the Therapeutic Community between pre (T1-week 0) - to post (T2- post-intervention 8-9 weeks later) to T3 (follow-up- one month later) and T4 (follow-up- three months later).
Change in number of times coming late for scheduled appointments	Number of times coming late for scheduled appointments. Less times of coming late is better.	Change in number of times coming late for scheduled appointments between pre (T1-week 0) - to post (T2- post-intervention 8-9 weeks later) to T3 (follow-up- one month later) and T4 (follow-up- three months later).

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Four Item Tablet Test (4ITT)	Performance test of executive functioning via a quick online shopping task using a tablet. Scores will include shopping time & mistakes - less time with less mistakes is better shopping performance.	Change between pre (T1-week 0) to T2 (post-intervention 8-9 weeks later), T3 (follow-up- one month later) and T4 (follow-up- three months later)]
Color Trails Test (CTT)	A pen and paper neuropsychological test used to measure cognitive flexibility and processing speed. The CTT includes two parts: (1) CTT part 1 requires to connect a series of 25 numbered circles that are scattered on a sheet of paper and (2) CTT part 2 requires to connect numbered circles from 1 to 25 in sequence alternating between two colors-pink and yellow (1-pink, 2-yellow, 3-pink, 4-yellow…). The time (seconds) to complete each part will be recorded. Completion time (up to 240 seconds) translated to standardized score by normative data correcting for age and years of education. The CTT is widely used in a variety of populations and was found as a valid and reliable measure with a variety of populations. Less time (secs) indicates better executive function.	Change between pre (T1-week 0) to T2 (post-intervention 8-9 weeks later), T3 (follow-up- one month later) and T4 (follow-up- three months later)]
Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Adult Version (BRIEF-A)	A 75-item questionnaire assessing EF in everyday environments. BRIEF-A is composed of nine clinical scales which form two indices: (i) the Behavioral Regulations Index (BRI), and (ii) the Metacognition Index (MI). The BRI and MI together produce an overall Global Executive Composite (GEC). Based on the past 30 days, items are graded on a 3-point scale: 'never' (1), 'sometimes' (2), or 'always' (3). The raw scores are converted to T-scores where a score of 65 or higher denotes a clinical deficit. Higher scores indicate worse outcomes.	Change between pre (T1-week 0) to T2 (post-intervention 8-9 weeks later), T3 (follow-up- one month later) and T4 (follow-up- three months later)]
Computerized cognitive assessment battery (CANTAB)	Two computerized tasks from the Cambridge Automatic Neuropsychological Test Battery (CANTAB) subtests will be used to assess multitasking and working memory. The tasks will be administered using a touchscreen tablet: The Multitasking Test (MTT) Spatial Working Memory (SWM)	Change between pre (T1-week 0) to T2 (post-intervention 8-9 weeks later), T3 (follow-up- one month later) and T4 (follow-up- three months later)]
The Self-Regulation Skills Interview	A semi-structured interview composed of six questions that assess a range of metacognitive skills essential for rehabilitation planning, monitoring an individual's progress, and evaluating the outcome of treatment interventions. The six questions are applied to a main area of difficulty experienced in everyday living as identified by the individual.	Change between pre (T1-week 0) to T2 (post-intervention 8-9 weeks later), T3 (follow-up- one month later) and T4 (follow-up- three months later)]
The Sensory Responsiveness Questionnaire-Intensity Scale	A 58-item questionnaire aimed at clinically classifying sensory modulation dysfunction in adults. Items represent typical daily life situations involving auditory, visual, gustatory, olfactory, vestibular and somatosensory sensations, excluding pain. Items are phrased either in a hedonic or aversive valence and are graded on a 5-point Likert scale: 'not at all' (1) to 'very much' (5). Two cut-off scores are provided.	Change between pre (T1-week 0) to T2 (post-intervention 8-9 weeks later), T3 (follow-up- one month later) and T4 (follow-up- three months later)]
The Pain Sensitivity Questionnaire	A 17 item questionnaire aimed to quantify everyday somatosensory pain sensitivity to imagined painful daily life situations. Participants rate the intensity of imagined pain on a 10-point scale: 'not painful at all' (0) to 'the worst pain imaginable' (10). The Pain Sensitivity Questionnaire provides a total score and two sub-scores.	Change between pre (T1-week 0) to T2 (post-intervention 8-9 weeks later), T3 (follow-up- one month later) and T4 (follow-up- three months later)]
The New General Self-Efficacy Scale	An 8-item measure that assesses how much people believe they can achieve their goals despite their difficulties. Each of the eight statements (e.g. "Even when things are tough, I can perform quite well") are rated using a 5-point rating scale: 'strongly disagree' (1) to 'strongly agree' (5); higher scores indicate higher self-efficacy.	Change between pre (T1-week 0) to T2 (post-intervention 8-9 weeks later), T3 (follow-up- one month later) and T4 (follow-up- three months later)]
Satisfaction with Life Scale	A self-report questionnaire measuring global life satisfaction. This scale examines the cognitive component of subjective well-being and consists of five statements that reflect the overall satisfaction of an individual's life. Responders are asked to rate the level of agreement with each statement on a scale ranging from 1 (total disagreement) to 7 (total agreement). Higher scores indicate better life satisfaction.	Change between pre (T1-week 0) to T2 (post-intervention 8-9 weeks later), T3 (follow-up- one month later) and T4 (follow-up- three months later)]
In-depth semi-structured interview	A semi-structured interview, comprising of 5 open-end questions aiming to understand how adults with SUD perceive their performance at the TC and the link between their performance to their executive functioning and sensory modulation disorder. The interview will comprise questions such as What, in your opinion, can explain your performance? Each time point will be analyzed separately.	Pre (T1-week 0), T2 (post-intervention 8-9 weeks later), T3 (follow-up- one month later) and T4 (follow-up- three months later)
The World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0) - 12 item version	Assesses activity limitations and participation restrictions in daily activities. The WHODAS 2.0 comprises six major life domains yielding the sub-scales: Cognition; Household (life activity); Mobility; Self-care; Social; and Participation in Society. Items are graded on a 5-point Likert scale: "none" (0) to "extreme" (4), where higher scores denote higher disability.	Change between pre (T1-week 0) to T2 (post-intervention 8-9 weeks later), T3 (follow-up- one month later) and T4 (follow-up- three months later)

Other Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Montreal Cognitive Assessment	A 10-minute cognitive screening tool assessment for detecting cognitive impairment. The MoCA items include short term memory recall, visuospatial ability, executive function, attention-concentration-working memory, language, and orientation to time and place. Scores range from 0-30, higher scores indicate better cognition	T1- pre-intervention
The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale-Version 1.1	A 18-item checklist for screening adult Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders -IV diagnostic criteria using a 5 point Likert scale 'Never' (0) to 'Very Often' (4).	Change between pre (T1-week 0) to T2 (post-intervention 8-9 weeks later), T3 (follow-up- one month later) and T4 (follow-up- three months later)]
The Satisfaction from the intervention questionnaire	A 9-item questionnaire measuring the patient satisfaction with the intervention. Higher scores - more satisfaction.	Post intervention (T2, which is 8-9 weeks after T1)

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Tel Aviv University
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Naama Assayag, Dr., Tel Aviv University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): November 25, 2022
• Primary Completion (Actual): December 15, 2023
• Study Completion (Actual): December 15, 2023

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: August 10, 2022
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 3, 2022
• First Posted (Actual): December 13, 2022

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 11, 2024
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 9, 2024
• Last Verified: April 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Executive functions; Rehabilitation compliance; Sensory modulation dysfunction
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Mental Disorders; Chemically-Induced Disorders; Substance-Related Disorders
• Other Study ID Numbers: 0001484-4

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: Data will be available upon personal 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