Substance-Related Disorders
Conditions
Keywords
Prospective memory, working memory, substance abuse
Brief summary
Prospective memory is the ability to implement an intention to the future (e.g. remember to take medication, attend a scheduled meeting), and has receive little attention in addiction. The investigators propose that prospective memory plays a critical, yet unrecognized, role in major human behavior change such as that required in addiction treatment. This study will determine the preliminary efficacy of prospective memory training in improving memory and executive functions while reducing illicit drug use in methadone patients. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three conditions: an experimental memory training program or one of two comparator memory training programs.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALExperimental memory training
The experimental memory training will be implemented as a computer program that uses state-of-the-art immersive technology to simulate prospective memory in everyday life in which one must remember to carry out tasks throughout the day, while engaging in current ongoing activity. Participants are asked to imagine they have a work-at-home job (ongoing activity), which is an independent program (CogMed QM) designed to train working memory, but that they also need to remember to carry out a number of tasks throughout the day. Using a touch screen, participants will need to touch objects in the simulated environment to appropriately interact with these stimuli according to their pre-assigned tasks.
BEHAVIORALComparator memory training 1
The first comparator memory training intervention will utilize the same overall structure and immersive computer environment as the experimental memory intervention, but will not challenge the same aspects of cognition.
BEHAVIORALComparator memory training 2
The second comparator memory training intervention will utilize the same overall structure and immersive computer environment as the experimental memory intervention, but will not challenge the same aspects of cognition.
Sponsors
Johns Hopkins University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Investigator)
Masking description
Both the participant and the research assistant conducting the assessments will be blinded to group assignment.
Intervention model description
Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three treatment conditions: an experimental memory training program or one of two comparator memory training programs.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 55 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Age 18-55; provision of written consent * Enrolled in a substance use treatment program * Sex with ≥ 2 partners in the last 30 days and sex without a condom on at least one occasion in the last year
Exclusion criteria
* Severe psychiatric conditions associated with psychosis or any unstable psychiatric condition * History of medical, psychiatric, or neurological conditions associated with significant cognitive impairment
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in prospective memory over course of training | one month | Prospective memory will be evaluated within the program itself and measured as the percentage of correct responses within the program. Higher percentages are indicative of greater prospective memory performance. |
| Change in drug use and substance abuse over course of training. | one month | Drug use will be evaluated by urinalysis. Negative screens are indicative of drug abstinence. |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed