The efficacy of cognitive remediation on processing speed in patients with first episode psychosis

ISRCTN ISRCTN17220814
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN17220814
Submission date
10/08/2017
Registration date
17/08/2017
Last edited
23/09/2022
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Mental and Behavioural Disorders
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
Psychosis is a mental health problem that causes people to perceive or interpret things differently from those around them, and might involve hallucinations or delusions. Schizophrenia is a type of psychosis. Functional and recovery outcomes are poor in patients with schizophrenia in terms of work, their self-care and their relationships. Cognitive remediation therapy (CRT) is a type of rehabilitation treatment that aims to improve abilities such as attention and memory. Most findings on CRT challenge the assumption that simply improving cognitive functioning in schizophrenia will spontaneously lead to better outcomes. The aim of this study is to find out whether targeted CRT (ReMind) is better than conventional CRT at improving functional outcomes in first-episode psychosis patients.

Who can participate?
First-episode psychosis patients aged 18 to 40

What does the study involve?
During the first visit, participants answer a set of questionnaires and attempt a cognitive test. Participants are randomly allocated to targeted CRT (ReMind) or conventional CRT for 15 sessions over 8 weeks. The questionnaires are repeated after the treatment sessions to measure the difference in cognitive functioning. Participation in this study takes about two months with three months follow-up.

What are the possible benefits of participating?
Participants gain knowledge about cognition and schizophrenia, recovery and cognitive skills. There are no known risks and/or discomforts associated with the treatment in this study.

Where is the study run from?
Hospital Putrajaya, Hospital Kajang, Hospital Kuala Lumpur and UKM Medical Centre (Malaysia)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
February 2016 to October 2019

Who is funding the study?
Public Service Department of Malaysia and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

Who is the main contact?
1. Mrs Naniyati Shuib (scientific and public)
nani.shuib@gmail.com
2. Dr Mahadir Ahmad (scientific)
mahadir@ukm.edu.my

Contact information

Mrs Naniyati Shuib
Public

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
Faculty of Health Sciences
Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz
Kuala Lumpur
50300
Malaysia

Phone +60 (0)326 878 168
Email nani.shuib@gmail.com
Dr Mahadir Ahmad
Scientific

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
Faculty of Health Sciences
Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz
Kuala Lumpur
50300
Malaysia

Phone +60 (0)326 878 168
Email mahadir@ukm.edu.my
Mrs Naniyati Shuib
Scientific

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
Faculty of Health Sciences
Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz
Kuala Lumpur
50300
Malaysia

Phone +60 (0)326 878 168
Email nani.shuib@gmail.com

Study information

Study designSingle-blind randomised controlled trial
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typeTreatment
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use the contact details to request a patient information sheet
Scientific titleThe efficacy of cognitive remediation on processing speed in patients with first episode psychosis: a randomized controlled trial
Study acronymReMind
Study objectivesCurrent hypothesis as of 09/12/2020:
To evaluate whether the targeted CRT (ReMind) is superior to conventional CRT in improving
global cognitive functioning in first-episode psychosis (FEP) patients.

_____

Previous hypothesis:
To evaluate whether the adjunct CRT (A-NEAR) is superior to conventional CRT in improving global cognitive functioning in first episode psychosis (FEP) patients.
Ethics approval(s)1. Malaysia ethics board (NMRR) through Medical Research Ethics Committee (MREC), Ministry of Health, Malaysia, 01/06/2016, ref: NMRR-16-598-29797 (IIR)
2. Ethics Committee of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, ref: (UKM)NN-2016-037
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedPsychosis
InterventionThis single-blinded randomised controlled trial will address the efficacy of CR therapy using NEAR model by targeting processing speed in first episode psychosis. Participants’ cognition, functioning and clinical symptoms will be assessed at baseline and then randomised to treatment arm (adjunct CRT (A-NEAR)) or standard care of conventional CRT as active control for 15 sessions over 8 weeks. All participants will be assessed again at post-randomisation assessment with 3 months follow-up. A sequential mixed methods design will be used, in which the intervention will be executed in sequence followed by in-depth interview before the data could be embedded. There will be a primary outcome of improvement in global cognition and psychosocial functioning as a secondary outcome. All procedures and reporting of primary and secondary outcomes will follow Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) 2010 guidelines.

The primary purpose of ReMind study will be to execute intervention of CR with the use of quantitative instruments to test the eclectic theories of neuropsychological, learning, educational psychology and rehabilitation psychology that predict the treatment effect between independent variables of A-NEAR treatment that will influence positively the performance of cognitive domains and functional outcomes as dependent variables in patients with first episode psychosis with processing speed as mediator.

Randomisation and allocation concealment
Signed informed consent will be obtained prior to randomisation. The single blinded (masked) assessors will recruit the participants through demographic data and assessments. After a comprehensive baseline assessment, those meeting the eligibility will be randomized.

Thereafter, a randomisation is performed, the potential participants will be informed of the result of the randomisation. The patients and treatment providers will not be blinded. The blinding applies to ReMind training team involved in assessments, data management, data analysis, and drawing outcome conclusions.

Successful randomisation in practice depends on two interrelated aspects which adequate generation of an unpredictable allocation sequence and concealment of that sequence until assignment occurs. The treatment allocation system will be set up so that the person enrolling participants does not know in advance which treatment the next person will get, a process termed allocation concealment. Although there are many approaches to randomization that are known to effectively conceal the randomization sequence, the use of sequentially numbered, opaque sealed envelopes (SNOSE) will be adopted in the study as it is the most accessible and straightforward method of maintaining allocation concealment and does not require the use of specialized technology. Moreover, the method is both cheap and effective in ensuring source of bias can be eliminated by concealing the upcoming allocation sequence from researchers and participants.

For primary and secondary outcomes, the assessments will be conducted at baseline, prior to randomisation, as information from the baseline assessment is used to perform randomisation and validate inclusion and exclusion criteria. The post assessment will also be administered after 8 weeks of intervention.
Intervention typeOther
Primary outcome measureCognitive functioning, assessed by neurocognitive assessment through The Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS) at baseline and 8 weeks
Secondary outcome measuresFunctional outcomes, assessed using functional measures including Schizophrenia Cognition Rating Scale (SCoRS), Social Functioning Scale (SFS), Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale (SOFAS) and Schizophrenia Quality of Life Scale Revision 4 (SQLS-R4) at baseline and 8 weeks
Overall study start date08/02/2016
Completion date01/10/2019

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participants104
Total final enrolment92
Key inclusion criteria1. First-episode psychosis patients with schizophrenia, schizophreniform disorder or schizoaffective disorder at diagnosis and presenting with cognitive deficits
2. Young adults aged 18 to 40
3. Able to read and write in Malay and/or English
4. Written informed consent
5. Fulfil the criteria of cognitive measures, symptomatology and other functioning
6. The symptoms must have been present during the past year including other criteria
Key exclusion criteria1. Previous diagnosis of mental retardation, psychotic disorder related to a general medical condition or substance-induced psychotic disorder
2. Severe schizophrenia
3. History of any diagnosis of a serious developmental disorder
4. Significant ongoing neurological disorders including epilepsy
5. History of severe head injury
6. Concurrently undergoing other types of cognitive remediation therapy
Date of first enrolment01/08/2016
Date of final enrolment01/06/2018

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • Malaysia

Study participating centre

Hospital Putrajaya, Hospital Kajang, Hospital Kuala Lumpur and UKM Medical Centre
Department of Psychiatric and Mental Health
Kuala Lumpur and Selangor
50300
Malaysia

Sponsor information

Public Service Department of Malaysia
Government

Blok C1-C3
Kompleks C Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan
Putrajaya
62510
Malaysia

Website http://www.jpa.gov.my
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/04kpqhb39

Funders

Funder type

Government

Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam Malaysia
Government organisation / National government
Alternative name(s)
Public Service Department of Malaysia, JPA
Location
Malaysia
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date01/01/2020
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareYes
IPD sharing plan summaryAvailable on request
Publication and dissemination planThe data from this study will be made into a report which may be published.
IPD sharing planThe datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are/will be available upon request from Naniyati Shuib (nani.shuib@gmail.com). The data will be reported in a collective manner with no reference to an individual. Hence the identity of participants will be kept confidential. Data from the study will be archived and may be transmitted outside the country for the purpose of analysis, publishing or presenting the study results without revealing the identity of participants at any time.

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Results article results 01/10/2019 09/12/2020 Yes No
Results article results 28/12/2019 09/12/2020 Yes No
Protocol file version 1.0 18/04/2016 23/09/2022 No No

Additional files

ISRCTN17220814 Study Protocol NMRR 20160418-ReMind RCT.pdf

Editorial Notes

06/09/2022: Protocol file uploaded.
23/09/2022: Corrected protocol file uploaded.
09/12/2020: The following changes have been made:
1.The study hypothesis has been changed
2. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia has been added as a funder.
3. A scientific contact has been added.
4. The plain English summary has been updated to reflect these changes and the previous change to the study acronym.
5. Publication references added.
08/12/2020: The following changes have been made:
1. The trial acronym has been added.
2. "NMRR29797" has been deleted from the protocol/serial number field.
20/08/2019: The following changes were made to the trial record:
1. The recruitment end date was changed from 31/10/2017 to 01/06/2018.
2. The overall trial end date was changed from 31/08/2018 to 01/10/2019.
3. The intention to publish date was changed from 15/12/2017 to 01/01/2020.
4. Total final enrolment number added.