Cognitive Training for Functioning in PTSD

The proposed study will test a novel, computerized treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to determine if it helps Veterans functionally recover as measured by reduced cognitive disability and PTSD symptoms. To do so, investigators will evaluate the effects of a cognitive training program that is designed to improve people's ability to manage information in working memory. Investigators will measure self-reported symptoms and disability alongside day-to-day cognition and functioning. The project support the VA Office of Research and Development's mission to improve Veteran participation in their lives and community by determining if this new approach can improve recovery from trauma and exploring for whom the intervention works.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a prevalent and debilitating condition among Veterans, associated with high healthcare utilization, physical comorbidities, and increased suicide risk. Despite the effectiveness of first-line psychotherapies for PTSD, these treatments do not universally address the neuropsychological deficits often seen in PTSD, such as impaired executive functioning, which contributes to both poor functional recovery and exacerbation of symptoms. There is a critical need for novel interventions targeting executive functioning to complement existing therapies and improve outcomes. The investigator team has developed Cognitive ENhancement Training (COGENT), a low-burden, computer-based neurotherapeutic program designed to improve executive functioning. Preliminary data suggest COGENT may improve cognitive and affective symptoms in Veterans with PTSD, but larger, rigorous trials are needed to assess its clinical utility.

COGENT represents a promising innovation in PTSD treatment by focusing on enhancing executive functioning, which is directly implicated in the regulation of PTSD symptoms. Unlike existing therapies, COGENT targets cognitive deficits that drive symptom severity using a relatively brief, computer-administered format, offering a potential alternative pathway for improving recovery. If successful, this intervention could provide a scalable, cost-effective, and easily integrated treatment for Veterans with PTSD, improving their daily functioning and reducing symptom burden.

Specific Aims: 1) Evaluate the impact of COGENT on clinical functioning and PTSD symptoms. Investigators hypothesize that COGENT will lead to significant reductions in cognitive disability and re-experiencing symptoms relative to a control group. 2) Assess the real-world effects of COGENT on cognitive, emotional, and functional outcomes using smartphone-based ecological momentary assessments. Investigators hypothesize that COGENT will improve cognitive performance, reduce mood symptoms, and decrease functional impairment in everyday settings. Exploratory Aim) Identify predictors of treatment outcomes. This will explore how baseline cognitive performance and sociodemographic and clinical characteristics (e.g., traumatic brain injury history) influence the response to COGENT.

Successful outcomes from this will support the translation of COGENT into VA care. If effective, COGENT could be either provided as direct-to-Veteran services or integrated into routine clinical practice within the existing PTSD treatment programs as a cost-effective, widely accessible option for improving cognitive and clinical outcomes. Further research will explore potential for widespread dissemination and individual-level tailoring to optimize treatment benefits for Veterans with PTSD.