Cocomp Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Cognitive computational mechanisms of psychotherapy
IRAS ID
266900
Contact name
Quentin Huys
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University College London
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Z6364106/2020/02/25, UCL Data Protection Registration
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
Despite its frequent use in state-of-the art healthcare and its proven efficacy, the mechanisms of change during cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) are surprisingly poorly understood. Here, we aim to shed light on neuro-cognitive mediators of the cognitive and behavioral components of CBT for depression.
This will be achieved by using neurocognitive computer tasks specifically developed to measure cognitive processes that are tackled during the cognitive and the behavioural modules of CBT. These tasks will be performed by participants at home before, during
and after a standardized, protocol-based CBT intervention for moderate depression (NHS-provided Improving Access to Psychological Therapies service,IAPT, step 2). A control group currently waiting for treatment within IAPT will perform the same
sequence of tasks prior to undergoing therapy.These tasks will be analysed using state of the art statistical and computational methods aiming at cognitive phenotyping of each patient.
Results will be related to self-reported symptoms assessed using standardised and established questionnaires.
The long-term goal is twofold: First, we aim to gain better insight into how and why specific interventions work, i.e. which neurocognitive mechanism they change for the better. Second, in the longer run, by combining pre- peri- and post assessments, our goal is to define cognitive predictors of which therapeutic intervention is useful for
which individual.REC name
East Midlands - Leicester South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/EM/0219
Date of REC Opinion
12 Oct 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion