Effects of Attention Training Interventions on Depression

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to study the effects of attention training interventions on symptoms and brain function in major depressive disorder.

Detailed Description
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Attention training programs including mindfulness meditation-based interventions have been shown to be effective for treating depression. Currently the biological and psychological mechanisms of action of attention training for major depression disorder are unknown. The objective of the current study is to improve the investigator's understanding of the mechanisms of attention training interventions for depression. Research participants will include approximately 165 individuals with major depressive disorder randomized to one of three types of attention training programs. Before and after intervention participants will complete a number of biological assessments including MRI, EEG, behavioral tasks, and questionnaires. The study will be completed across three visits: (1) a screening visit; (2) data collection session 1; and (3) data collection session 2.

Official Title
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Effects of Attention Training Interventions on Depression

Conditions
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Depression, Attention Training, Symptoms, Cognitive, Symptoms, Affective, Symptoms, Behavioral

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: attention training intervention 1
* Behavioral: attention training intervention 2
* Behavioral: attention training intervention 3


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria include: DSM-5 criteria for major depressive disorder Written informed consent Both biological sexes, any ethnicity Age 18-55 Scores exceeding cutoffs on depression questionnaires Right-handed Normal or corrected-to-normal vision and hearing Fluency in written and spoken English Absence of psychotropic medication Exclusion Criteria include: Use of substances or prior treatments that may interfere with study procedures or outcomes (e.g., stimulants, blood pressure medication) Medical conditions that may interfere with study procedures or outcomes (e.g., thyroid disorder) Current therapy and practices overlapping with study interventions Select other DSM-5 disorders and symptoms (e.g., psychotic symptoms, suicidal ideation) Failure to meet MRI safety requirements or suitability Significant inconsistencies in self-report or first-degree relatives with history or current psychotic symptoms

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 55 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Basic Science
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: attention training intervention 1<br>14-day smartphone-based audio-guided attention training program with heavy mindfulness influence | Behavioral: attention training intervention 1<br>* 14-day smartphone-based audio-guided attention training program with heavy mindfulness component<br>|
| Active Comparator: attention training intervention 2<br>14-day smartphone-based audio-guided attention training program with moderate mindfulness influence | Behavioral: attention training intervention 2<br>* 14-day smartphone-based audio-guided attention training program with moderate mindfulness component<br>|
| Active Comparator: attention training intervention 3<br>14-day smartphone-based audio-guided intervention without mindfulness emphasis | Behavioral: attention training intervention 3<br>* 14-day smartphone-based audio-guided attention training program without mindfulness component<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| changes in questionnaire measures including severity of depression (e.g., Beck Depression Inventory [BDI-II]: minimum/maximum values = 0/63, higher scores indicate worse outcome) |  | pre-treatment to post-treatment (approximately 3-4 weeks from intervention start date) | 
| changes in neural measures including functional connectivity functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) collected during rest conditions |  | pre-treatment to post-treatment (approximately 3-4 weeks from intervention start date) | 
| changes in behavioral task performance including related to affective (e.g., Probabilistic Reward Task [PRT]) |  | pre-treatment to post-treatment (approximately 3-4 weeks from intervention start date) | 
| changes in behavioral task performance including related to cognitive processing (e.g., Flanker Task). |  | pre-treatment to post-treatment (approximately 3-4 weeks from intervention start date) |