N/A
N=21
Assessment and Treatment of Cognitive Functioning Deficits in Veterans With PTSD
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Bottom Line
View on ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03696225 ↗Enrolled (actual)
21
Serious AEs
0.0%
Results posted
Oct 2025
Primary outcome: Primary: Prospective-Retrospective Memory Questionnaire (PRMQ; Crawford et al., 2006) — 50.38; 38.5; 47.875; 42.5 score on a scale
Study Design & Population
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- N/A
- Interventions
- Compensatory Cognitive Training (CCT) (Behavioral); Treatment as Usual (TAU) (Behavioral)
- Age
- Adult, Older Adult · 18+ yrs
- Sex
- All
- Sponsor
- VA Office of Research and Development
- Primary completion
- Sep 2024
Outcome Measures
| Outcome | Result | p-value |
|---|---|---|
| PRIMARY Prospective-Retrospective Memory Questionnaire (PRMQ; Crawford et al., 2006) |
50.38; 38.5; 47.875; 42.5; 39.8; 45.857 | — |
| PRIMARY Multiple Sclerosis Neuropsychological Screening Questionnaire - Patient Version (MSNQ; Benedict et al., 2003) |
33.15; 22.75; 29.375; 26.5; 22.6; 29.833 | — |
| PRIMARY California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT-II; Delis et al., 2000) |
52.77; 52.88; 62.8; 58.33; 52.333; 63.857 | — |
| PRIMARY Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS-IV) Coding Subtest (Wechsler, 2008) |
69.38; 73.25; 77; 79.25; 88.00; 75.143 | — |
| PRIMARY Controlled Oral Word Association Test (Benton, Hamsher, & Sivan, 1983) |
42.69; 44.75; 24.38; 27.0; 40.00; 46.0 | — |
| PRIMARY Halstead Reitan Trailmaking Test (Trails A & B; Reitan & Wolfson, 1985) |
26.62; 22.50; 58.85; 50.63; 22.125; 20.0 | — |
| PRIMARY World Health Organization Disability Assessment Scale (WHODAS 2.0) |
63.727; 43.125; 51.286; 42.5; 65.4; 52.6 | — |
| PRIMARY Quality of Life in Neurological Disorders (Neuro-QOL): Cognitive, Ability to Participate in Social Roles and Activities, and Sleep Scales |
76.00; 99.88; 88.375; 92.00; 100.6; 92.857 | — |
| PRIMARY Memory Compensation Questionnaire (MCQ; de Frias & Dixon, 2005) |
105.38; 101.88; 91.125; 86.25; 104.4; 91.143 | — |
| PRIMARY Portland Cognitive Strategies Scale 2.0 (PCSS) |
36.46; 45.88; 29.42; 33.63; 31.182; 31.167 | — |
| PRIMARY Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS-IV) Digit Span Subtest (Wechsler, 2008) |
27.62; 28.88; 29.4; 32.33; 32.0; 31.571 | — |
| SECONDARY PTSD Checklist (PCL-5; Weathers et al., 2013) |
41.31; 34.75; 36.375; 20.0; 29.0; 34.571 | — |
| SECONDARY Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9; Spitzer, Kroenke, & Williams, 1999) |
22.23; 22.25; 19.5; 19.0; 19.4; 21.571 | — |
Summary
Approximately half a million Veterans receiving services at the VA have Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD is strongly associated with cognitive functioning deficits in areas of concentration, attention, memory, learning, verbal abilities, processing speed, and multitasking. Compensatory Cognitive Training (CCT) is an evidence-based intervention for cognitive problems that is effective in other Veteran populations such as those with a history of traumatic brain injury (TBI), but CCT has not yet been tested in Veterans with PTSD who don't have a history of TBI. The investigators will conduct a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) of CCT in Veterans who have been treated for PTSD but continue to have cognitive functioning deficits. The investigators will examine feasibility, acceptability, participant characteristics, and effect size estimates in preparation for a fully-powered RCT of CCT for PTSD-related cognitive functioning deficits.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- Eligible Veterans must meet Diagnostic and Statistical Manual 5 (DSM-5) criteria for PTSD with evidence-based PTSD treatment participation within the past 2 years.
- Must have an individual mental health provider/case manager assigned for coordination of care and management of crises as well as provision of treatment as usual if Veteran is randomly assigned to this condition.
- Report subjective cognitive complaints, such as problems with memory, attention/concentration, and executive function (e.g., planning, organization, problem-solving, decision-making).
- Referring provider observes mild cognitive problems that interfere with daily life (e.g., forgetting appointments or medications, poor performance at work or school, difficulty remembering information, trouble focusing in treatment sessions, trouble following through on goals).
- Fluent English speaker.
- Able to read and write and provide informed consent.
Exclusion Criteria
- No history of traumatic brain injury (tbi) of any severity or another major medical condition likely to significantly impact cognitive functioning such as stroke, multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson's, or a brain tumor.
- Do not meet criteria for bipolar disorder or a psychotic disorder. Do not have a diagnosis of a substance dependence disorder within the past 30 days.
- Do not have active suicidal intent indicating significant clinical risk (which would suggest that a treatment targeting suicidal intent is indicated).
- Cognitive problems are not severe (i.e., no dementia). Cognitive problems do NOT interfere with a Veteran's overall ability to live independently or care for him/herself.
- Not currently participating in any type of brain stimulation treatment.
- No significant auditory/visual impairments.
Data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03696225). Outcome figures and adverse-event rates are extracted automatically from the registry's posted results and are provided for clinician reference, not as a substitute for the primary publication.