NCT07056894 Effects of Action-Based Cognitive Remediation on Substance Misuse in Early Phase Psychosis
| NCT ID | NCT07056894 |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Phase | — |
| Sponsor | Nova Scotia Health Authority |
| Condition | Psychosis |
| Study Type | INTERVENTIONAL |
| Enrollment | 50 participants |
| Start Date | 2026-03-27 |
| Primary Completion | 2027-12-31 |
Eligibility & Interventions
Eligibility Fast-Check
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What to Expect as a Participant
You will actively receive the study intervention — which may be a drug, biologic, device, or procedure.
This trial targets 50 participants in total. It began in 2026-03-27 with a primary completion date of 2027-12-31.
⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.
Brief Summary
Psychotic disorders impact 4.6 people per 1000 globally, with approximately 1.5 million Canadians affected. The age of onset for psychotic disorders often begin during the critical years of youth and early adulthood, resulting in significant challenges for individuals and their families, including difficulties with thinking, relationships, and overall well-being. They also carry significant economic costs, both for health care and lost productivity. Early intervention services have been shown to improve outcomes when provided during the first few years of illness known as early phase psychosis (EPP). However, substance use, especially alcohol and cannabis, can interfere with the effectiveness of these services. Many young people with psychosis misuse these substances, which can harm brain development, worsen symptoms, reduce medication use, and lower quality of life. Despite understanding the risks, there are few effective ways to reduce substance misuse in patients with EPP. One promising approach to reducing substance misuse in this population is cognitive remediation therapy, which helps improve thinking skills and everyday functioning. Studies have found that some cognitive remediation therapies can help reduce alcohol use in chronic schizophrenia, but there is limited research targeting the EPP population. Our research team at the Nova Scotia Early Psychosis Program recently completed a pilot study that indicated a therapy called Cognitive Enhancement Therapy (CET) helped participants reduce their problematic alcohol and cannabis use. However, challenges with recruitment and lower attendance rates noted towards the end of the 6-month therapy course suggests that patients with EPP would benefit more from a therapy with a shorter timeframe. Alternatively, Action-Based Cognitive Remediation (ABCR) targets the same cognitive domains believed to help reduce substance use as CET, but has a shorter, more concise schedule. ABCR cover 16 sessions delivered bi-weekly for 2 months, compared to 45 sessions over 6 months of CET. ABCR has been tested in the EPP population and has shown positive results when delivered in person, hybrid and remotely. Although this therapy is demonstrating benefits for patients including improvement in daily functioning and social cognition, its effects on substance misuse have not been researched. This study aims to investigate whether treatment with ABCR helps patients with EPP reduce their alcohol and/or cannabis use.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * This study will enroll individuals 16-30 years of age from the Early Intervention Services for Psychosis programs in Nova Scotia and the Psychosis Intervention Early Recovery program in Newfoundland * Diagnosed with a primary psychotic disorder (e.g. schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and unspecified schizophrenia spectrum disorder) * Less than 5 years of psychotic illness * Has problematic alcohol and/or cannabis use (score of 8 or higher on the World Health Organization Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (WHO-AUDIT) or Cannabis Use Disorder Identification Test-Revised (CUDIT-R)). Exclusion Criteria: * Current stimulant use disorder
Contact & Investigator
Philip G Tibbo, MD
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Nova Scotia Health Authority
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can join the NCT07056894 clinical trial?
This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 16 Years or older, up to 30 Years, studying Psychosis. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.
Is NCT07056894 currently recruiting?
Yes, NCT07056894 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at rachel.church@nshealth.ca for enrollment information.
Where is the NCT07056894 trial being conducted?
This trial is being conducted at St. John's, Canada, Halifax, Canada.
Who is sponsoring the NCT07056894 clinical trial?
NCT07056894 is sponsored by Nova Scotia Health Authority. The principal investigator is Philip G Tibbo, MD at Nova Scotia Health Authority. The trial plans to enroll 50 participants.