Social Cognition Training in Individuals With Huntington's Disease

Purpose

Individuals with Huntington's Disease have impaired social cognition, which is the domain of cognition that allows individuals to understand others' perspectives so that they can navigate interpersonal actions successfully (e.g., understanding someone may be sad based of their facial emotion or tone of voice and then responding in a sympathetic manner). Impaired social cognition is associated with impaired social functioning, poor psychological wellbeing and increased caregiver burden, which is known to be significant among those who care for individuals with Huntington's Disease. Computerized social cognition training has been shown to improve social cognition in individuals with schizophrenia, who, like individuals with Huntington's disease, have cognitive impairments. The investigators propose a pilot study of computerized social cognition training in individuals with Huntington's disease. This will be a feasibility study that aims to show that social cognition training in HD can be studied in preparation for a larger randomized controlled trial. The investigators hypothesize that social cognition training can improve social cognition, social functioning, and quality of life in individuals with Huntington's Disease and decrease caregiver burden among those who care for individuals with Huntington's Disease.

Condition

  • Huntington's Disease (HD)

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Between 18 Years and 65 Years
Eligible Sex
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No

Inclusion Criteria

for Individual with Huntington's Disease - Diagnosed with Huntington's Disease based on genetic testing - Must be between 18 and 65 years of age - Native English speaker who is literate in English - Stable psychotropic medication regimen for 4 weeks - Must have a score of "somewhat easily" on all items in the CPQ-12 - MOCA >18 - Completed 12 years of schooling - Access to laptop or mobile device - Willingness to come in person 6-12 weeks after first visit Inclusion Criteria for Caregiver of Individual with Huntington's Disease - Lives with patient - Must be between 18 and 65 years of age - Native English speaker who is literate in English - MOCA >26 - Willingness to come in person within 6-12 weeks after first visit

Exclusion Criteria

for Individual with Huntington's Disease - Any known neurological condition (other than Huntington's Disease). - History of learning and/or intellectual disabilities - Currently actively involved in any other interventional trial (i.e. have begun the intervention) or within 4 weeks of completing the final assessments of an interventional trial. - Currently regularly completing a computerized cognitive training intervention. - Active suicidal ideation with some intent Exclusion Criteria for Caregiver of Individual with Huntington's Disease - Inability to provide informed consent - Active suicidal ideation with some intent

Study Design

Phase
N/A
Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
N/A
Intervention Model
Single Group Assignment
Primary Purpose
Other
Masking
None (Open Label)

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Experimental
Social Cognition Training Group
  • Behavioral: Social Cognition Training
    Neuroplasticity-based social cognition training that targets a range of social cognition skills, including visual and vocal affect perception, social cue perception, theory of mind, self-referential style, and empathy

Recruiting Locations

Rush University Medical Center
Chicago 4887398, Illinois 4896861 60612
Contact:
Tyler Svymbersky
312-563-0676
Tyler_Svymbersky@rush.edu

More Details

Status
Recruiting
Sponsor
Rush University Medical Center

Study Contact

Tyler Svymbersky
312-563-0676
Tyler_Svymbersky@rush.edu