AN EFFECTIVENESS TRIAL EXAMINING A NOVEL APPROACH TO COGNITIVE REMEDIATION IN INDIVIDUALS WITH POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER

Summary: This project is a randomized-controlled trial investigating the effectiveness of Goal Management Training (GMT) cognitive remediation therapy in civilian non-first responders with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study will additionally evaluate the effect of neurofeedback in combination with GMT, as well as neurological changes in intrinsic connectivity networks (ICNs) due to treatment. The study aims to evaluate 1) the effect that GMT, as well as GMT with neurofeedback, has on executive dysfunction and PTSD symptoms, and 2) the effect that GMT has on ICN activity. Using a randomized-controlled trial protocol, individuals with PTSD will either be administered 9 weeks of group-based GMT, GMT + neurofeedback, or be assigned to a waitlist control group. Both groups will be assessed for executive dysfunction, PTSD symptoms, and will be scanned using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to determine ICN activity. Psychological assessments will be conducted pre- and post-treatment, as well as at a 3-month follow-up. fMRI scans will be conducted pre- and post-treatment. The GMT, GMT + neurofeedback, and control groups will be compared on changes in executive dysfunction, PTSD symptoms, and ICN connectivity

 

Funding: FDC Foundation, Canadian Institutes of Health Research

 

Project Lead: Andrew Nicholson

 

Team: Margaret McKinnon, Andrew Nicholson, Yarden Levy, Brahm Sanger, James Mirabelli, Tricia Raynsford, Elizabeth Garside, Mina Pichtikova, Jillian Lopes, Charlene O’Connor, Christina Chrysler