Cognitive Remediation in Forensic Mental Health Care

Conditions studied

Psychotic Disorders, ADHD, TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury), Aggression, Substance Use Disorders, Violence, Cognitive Dysfunction, Anxiety, Depression, Schizophrenia, Offenders, Antisocial

About this study

Forensic patients often display cognitive deficits, particularly in the domain of executive functions, that represent a challenge to forensic rehabilitation. One empirically-validated method to train executive functions is cognitive remediation, which consists of cognitive exercises combined with coaching. This trial investigates whether cognitive remediation can improve cognitive, functional, and clinical outcomes in forensic inpatients.

Interventions

• Behavioral: Cognitive Remediation — Cognitive Remediation consists of exercises, preferably supported by coaching, aimed at engaging cognitive skills and, as a result, at improving cognition as well as functional and clinical outcomes.
• Behavioral: Active Control — Active control condition for cognitive remediation, matched in terms of session modality, number, duration, frequency, and format.

Primary outcomes

• Executive Function (within 1 week prior and 1 week after training, as well as at a 12-week follow-up.)

Eligibility information

Study locations

• The Royal's Institute of Mental Health Research, Ottawa, Ontario K1Z 7K4 Canada