Cognitive Remediation of Working Memory Post Head Trauma

Launched by UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, TOULOUSE · Oct 4, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how to improve working memory in patients who have had moderate to severe head injuries. Working memory is the part of our memory that helps us hold and process information for short periods. The trial will last for five months and involves various activities aimed at enhancing cognitive (thinking) skills, along with a type of brain stimulation called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and educational support.

To join the study, individuals must have experienced a head injury that is classified as moderate or severe, meaning they had certain symptoms right after the injury and specific problems shown on brain scans. They should also be experiencing difficulties with their working memory. Importantly, people with serious language or cognitive issues, severe depression, or other specific health concerns will not be eligible to participate. Those who are eligible will engage in exercises and receive support to help improve their memory and cognitive skills throughout the trial.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Moderate or severe head trauma, defined by an initial Glasgow score ≤ 12/15, duration of post-traumatic amnesia superior to 24 hours and/or the presence of abnormalities on brain imaging,
• • Moderate or severe head trauma occurring within a period greater than or equal to 3 months,
• • Working memory complaints assessed by the Working Memory Questionnaire,
• • Patients with a working memory disorder in at least one of the following tests: Digit Memory subtest WAIS-IV (standard deviation ≤ -2) , PASAT (percentile ≤ 10), Brown-Peterson (standard deviation ≤ -2).
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Presence of aphasia, apraxia or severe neglect demonstrated by standardized neuropsychological tests during the inclusion visit: language - oral naming of BECS-GRECO images, ideational praxis and ideomotor , neglect - bell test,
• • Insufficient visual or auditory abilities and oral and written expression to carry out neuropsychological tests,
• • Severe depression assessed by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)
• • Chronic alcoholic poisoning, drug addiction,
• • Progressive general illness,
• • Progressive psychiatric or neurological condition leading to cognitive impairment,
• • Hospitalization for a neurological pathology since the acute phase of the qualifying event,
• • Patient requiring surgery during study participation.
• • Pregnant or breastfeeding women