Matching Treatments to Cognitive Deficits in Offenders With Substance Use Disorders

BEHAVIORAL

Attention to Context (ATC) training

ATC training focuses on learning to attend to and integrate contextual cues present in the environment. Three tasks, Reversal Learning, Divided Visual Field, and Affective Gaze, require ATC functioning and provide individuals with practice noticing changes in contextual information, such as rule changes and using emotion information to modulate behavior.

BEHAVIORAL

Affective Cognitive Control (ACC) training

ACC training focuses on providing individuals with practice inhibiting behavior, particularly within motivational or affective contexts. Three tasks, Shapes, Numbers, and Lottery, tap ACC functioning and place demands on the basic employment of cognitive control, such as task switching, as well as on the concurrent engagement of cognitive control and affective processing.

Cognitive task performance - Stroop

Time frame: From enrollment to end of treatment at six weeks

Stroop task. Performance is quantified by number of correct responses (0 - 100)%.

Cognitive task performance - Lexical Decision Making

Time frame: From enrollment to end of treatment at six weeks

Lexical Decision Making task. Performance is quantified by number of correct responses (0 - 100%).

Cognitive task performance - Delay Discounting

Time frame: From enrollment to end of treatment at six weeks

Delay Discounting task. Performance is quantified quantified by calculating where the answers place the respondent amid reference discounting curves. Range 0.0-0.5.

Functional MRI - Go/NoGo task performance

Time frame: Change assessed from enrollment to end of treatment at six weeks

Functional MRI task performance (Go/NoGo task). Performance is quantified by the number of 'false alarms' (responding to the NoGo stimulus). Range 0-39.

Functional MRI - Go/Nogo brain response

Time frame: Activity assessed during MRI scan. Change assessed from enrollment to end of treatment at six weeks

Change (i.e. increased or decreased) in functional brain response (Blood Oxygen Level Dependent/BOLD) in region of interest (anterior cingulate) assessed using Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM).

Real-World Outcomes - Substance use (TLFB)

Time frame: From enrollment to six months post-release from incarceration

Substance use. Assessed using the timeline follow back (TLFB) - calendar recording dates of use for stimulant drugs.

Real-World Outcomes - Substance use (ASE)

Time frame: From enrollment to six months post-release from incarceration

Substance use. Assessed using the Abstinence Self Efficacy scale (higher scores indicate greater difficulty with abstinence). Range 0-4.

Real-World Outcomes - Substance use (DUDIT)

Time frame: From enrollment to six months post-release from incarceration

Substance use. Assessed using the Drug Use Disorders Identification test (higher scores indicate more/severe substance use). Range 0-44.

Real-World Outcomes - Criminal behavior

Time frame: From enrollment to six months post-release from incarceration

Criminal behavior. Assessed using the Crime Inventory - records the number of instances of criminal behavior

Risky Impulsive Self-Destructive Behavior

Time frame: From enrollment to six months post-release from incarceration

The RISQ questionnaire measures risky, impulsive, and self-destructive behaviors in 8 domains (aggression, self-harm, gambling, impulsive spending/driving, impulsive eating, risky sex, illegal behavior, and alcohol use). For each behavior, respondents note the number of times they have engaged in the behavior in their lifetime. Higher scores indicate more severe risky, impulsive, and self destructive behavior.

What is a clinical trial?

A clinical trial is a research study that tests new medical treatments, drugs, devices, or procedures to determine their safety and effectiveness. Trials are carefully designed and monitored to protect participants while advancing medical knowledge.

Is it safe to participate?

Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. Trials must be reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals throughout the study. You can withdraw at any time if you choose.

Will I be compensated?

Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time, travel expenses, and inconvenience. The specific compensation varies by study and will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is typically provided at no cost to participants.

Will I receive a placebo instead of treatment?

When effective treatment exists, participants typically receive either the standard treatment plus the study intervention, or the standard treatment plus placebo. You would not be denied effective care. Placebos are primarily used when no proven treatment is available, or in addition to standard care. Your trial consent form will clearly explain what treatments you may receive.

Can I leave a trial if I change my mind?

Absolutely. Participation in clinical trials is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.

How long does a clinical trial last?

Trial duration varies widely depending on the study design and purpose. Some trials last just a few weeks, while others may continue for months or years. The study coordinator will provide specific timeline information during your screening call.