Exploring cognitive training for people with Huntington's disease
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring computerised cognitive training as a therapeutic intervention for people with Huntington's disease.
IRAS ID
210821
Contact name
Emma Yhnell
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cardiff University
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
509929, Jacque and Gloria Gossweiler Foundation
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
Huntington’s disease (HD) is a brain condition that is inherited and affects movement and thinking. Brain training, using computer games, has been used in other brain diseases to improve thinking and movement. If people with HD practice playing computer games that train their brain, then their thinking and motor skills may get better.
The purpose of this study is to see if people with HD can play computer games aimed at improving their thinking skills. Because this is the first time that computer game brain training has been used in people with HD, the study will focus on finding out if people with HD can complete the brain training. As part of the study, tests will be used to assess the thinking and motor skills of people with HD. A group of people with HD will then be asked to either, practice playing brain training games on a computer at home, or carry on as normal, so that we can compare people who are playing the computer games with people who are not. Everyone will be tested on their thinking and motor skills at the beginning and end of the study, to see if these skills have changed. At the end of the study people with HD, carers and family members will be interviewed and asked about their views or experiences of the brain training computer games.
The results of this study will help us to see if brain training computer games can improve motor or thinking problems for people with HD. We will also be able to see if people with HD found the computer games easy to use, and this will help us improve this type of training in the future. The results of this study will be important before bigger clinical trials can be undertaken.
REC name
Wales REC 1
REC reference
16/WA/0322
Date of REC Opinion
2 Dec 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion