Assessment and Treatment of Cognitive Functioning Deficits in Veterans With PTSD (CCTPTSD)

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.

Project Background: PTSD is associated with deficits in cognitive functioning including memory, learning, processing speed, concentration, attention, and executive functioning. Though many Veterans benefit from evidence-based psychotherapy (EBP) for PTSD, many Veterans have cognitive functioning deficits even after completing EBP for PTSD. There are no evidence-based treatments for these Veterans. Compensatory Cognitive Training (CCT) is improves cognitive functioning in Veterans with brain injury history, but is not yet tested in Veterans with PTSD. Project Aims: This study will evaluate feasibility, acceptability, and participant characteristics, and estimate effect sizes, in a pilot test of CCT for Veterans with PTSD-related cognitive problems. Data from this study will form the basis for a future, fully powered trial testing the effectiveness of CCT for cognitive problems in Veterans with PTSD. Project Methods: The investigators will recruit Veterans from local VA mental health clinics, using the VA's Corporate Data Warehouse (CDW) to identify potentially eligible Veterans if needed. The investigators will compare CCT vs. treatment as usual for 36 Veterans with PTSD-related cognitive functioning deficits. The investigators will calculate rates of recruitment, retention, and intervention participation. Statistical significance will be examined, though the investigators' focus will be on effect size estimates, score ranges, and variability to plan for a follow-up, fully powered RCT. Anticipated Impact: PTSD-related cognitive functioning deficits are a significant problem for many Veterans. CCT is an effective cognitive rehabilitation intervention for Veterans with a history of brain injury, but VA clinicians need data on its effectiveness for Veterans with PTSD-related cognitive functioning deficits. These studies will provide the data necessary for a larger scale RCT proposal if results show that CCT is as promising as expected for Veterans with PTSD.

Compensatory Cognitive Training draws from the theoretical literature on compensatory strategy training for other cognitively impaired populations (e.g., Huckans et al., 2013; Twamley et al., 2010; Storzbach et al., 2016). It is a rehabilitation model that aims to teach individuals strategies that allow them to work around cognitive deficits. Consistent with this model and the expert recommendations for civilians and Service members with TBI (Cicerone, 2011), manualized CCT treatment provides training in compensatory attention and learning/memory skills, formal problem-solving strategies applied to daily problems, and the use of external aids such as calendar systems and assistive devices to promote completion of daily tasks (Storzbach et al., 2016).

All TAU participants have an ongoing VA mental health provider and received ongoing mental health care during the course of the study (generally weekly individual or group sessions focusing on evidence-based PTSD treatment).

Compensatory Cognitive Training draws from the theoretical literature on compensatory strategy training for other cognitively impaired populations (e.g., Huckans et al., 2013; Twamley et al., 2010; Storzbach et al., 2016). It is a rehabilitation model that aims to teach individuals strategies that allow them to work around cognitive deficits. Consistent with this model and the expert recommendations for civilians and Service members with TBI (Cicerone, 2011), manualized CCT treatment provides training in compensatory attention and learning/memory skills, formal problem-solving strategies applied to daily problems, and the use of external aids such as calendar systems and assistive devices to promote completion of daily tasks (Storzbach et al., 2016).

All TAU participants have an ongoing VA mental health provider and received ongoing mental health care during the course of the study (generally weekly individual or group sessions focusing on evidence-based PTSD treatment).

Multiple Sclerosis Neuropsychological Screening Questionnaire - Patient Version (MSNQ; Benedict et al., 2003)

verbal learning and memory; forced choice validity. Total score ranges from 0-80. Higher scores represent better outcomes.

attention, working memory, processing speed, reliable digit span validity. Higher scores represent better outcomes. Scores on each subtest range from 0-18 and are reported as WAIS Scaled Scores.

word generation, verbal fluency, executive functioning. Higher scores represent better outcomes. Total score ranges from 0-infinite, but are reported as t-scores with a range of 0-100.

visual tracking, processing speed, executive functioning. Higher scores are the amount of time to complete the task and represent worse outcomes. Total scores are in seconds, but are converted to t-scores ranging from 0-100 with higher scores representing better outcomes once converted to t-scores.

quality of life, global functioning. Higher scores represent worse outcomes. Total score ranges from 0-48.

quality of life, cognitive functioning, sleep functioning, social functioning. Higher scores represent better outcomes. Scores on each subtest range from 8-40.

compensatory cognitive strategy use. Higher scores represent better outcomes. Total score ranges from 0-176.

compensatory cognitive strategy use. Higher scores represent worse outcomes. Total score ranges from 0-60.

mental health diagnoses. Scores are indicative of presence or absence of a diagnosis (categorical variable, therefore no range of scores is applicable).

depression symptoms and severity. Higher scores represent worse outcomes. Total score ranges from 0-27.

Inclusion Criteria: Eligible Veterans must meet 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 (of any severity) or another major medical condition likely to significantly impact cognitive functioning such as stroke, 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.