Clinical Trials Logo

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Recruiting

Administrative data

NCT number NCT05474066
Other study ID # 2022-016
Secondary ID
Status Recruiting
Phase
First received
Last updated
Start date August 1, 2022
Est. completion date December 1, 2026

Study information

Verified date February 2024
Source Canadian Forces Health Services Centre Ottawa
Contact Gaurav Gupta
Phone 6139451551
Email gaurav.gupta@forces.gc.ca
Is FDA regulated No
Health authority
Study type Observational

Clinical Trial Summary

This study looks to investigate the cognitive effects associated with intense, military combat training regimens or so-called repetitive sub-concussive forces. Specifically, study participants will undergo cognitive testing in tandem with EEG recordings pre- and post-military training to assess cognition.


Description:

Background Despite the high prevalence of cognitive issues in Veterans and active military personnel, there is relatively little understanding regarding the cognitive effects following intense, military training regimens designed to reflect a combat environment and blast exposure. Anecdotal evidence has shown that soldiers complain of cognitive issues post-training similar to those who have sustained brain trauma. Accordingly, this study looks to investigate the cognitive effects associated with intense, military combat training regimens or so-called repetitive sub-concussive forces. Specifically, study participants will undergo cognitive testing in tandem with EEG recordings pre- and post-military training to assess cognition. Research Objective To assess the effects of repetitive, sub-concussive exposure (RSCE) on cognitive functioning and brain electrophysiology in Special Operation Forces (SOF) personnel. Furthermore, the relation between repetitive sub-concussive exposure and symptoms will be clarified. Participants and Procedure 20 SOF members will complete a symptom profile, a vestibular ocular motor screening (VOMS), ImPACTTM Cognitive Testing and VoxNeuroTM Electroencephalogram (EEG) assessment pre-and post-training to assess cognitive functioning in the following domains: attention and concentration, working memory, and information processing. Investigators will look for correlations pre and post training The cognitive assessment(s) to be taken are: 1. ImPact Cognitive Testing 2. VoxNeuro Assessment (EEG) 1. Attention & Concentration Test - 10min 2. Continuous Visual Memory Test - 5min 3. Flanker Test (Optional) - 10min 4. Hayling Test (TBD - Currently only an English version available) - 10min Test Descriptions - Participants will keep logbooks looking at trauma exposure to help identify occupational vs non occupational causes, however given the intensity and length of the course significant non Paroccupational exposure is unlikely. - Blast Measurement will be monitored using a validated system of three worn blast gauges (Black-box Biometrics Inc.). These gauges - placed on the back of the helmet, non-firing shoulder, and chest - will be used to collect blast overpressure exposure levels above 0.5 psi at the location of the participant during the breaching events. Blast gauges will be issued to all participants prior to blast overpressure exposure and monitored throughout the duration of the study. - Vestibular Ocular Motor Screening (VOMS) consists of symptom reporting (eg headache, dizziness, nausea, and fogginess) ranging from 0 (none) to 10 (severe) after testing smooth pursuits, saccades (horizontal and vertical), convergence, Neer Point of Convergence (NPC) distance, horizontal VOR, vertical VOR, and visual motor sensitivity (VMS). For the purpose of this study, we will use the VOMS cutoff scores of ≥2 total symptom score on any VOMS subscale and/or ≥5 cm on NPC average distance - ImPACT is an FDA cleared online tool for baseline and post-injury testing. It measures patient reported symptoms, visual and verbal memory, reaction time, and processing speed to help determine if a patient can safely return to activity. - VoxNeuro Assessment: - Attention & Concentration: An auditory oddball task where the participant is asked to identify the difference between one (1) or more auditory stimuli while EEG is recorded simultaneously to assess Attention and Concentration function at the neurophysiological level. - Continuous Visual Memory Test (CVMT): A visual task whereby participants are asked to differentiate between visual stimuli that have been previously presented to them and newly presented visual stimuli while EEG is recorded simultaneously to assess Memory function at the neurophysiological level. - Flanker Task: This test consists of participants identifying target stimulus while a target is flanked by non-target stimuli which correspond either to the same directional response as the target (congruent flankers), to the opposite response (incongruent flankers), or to neither (neutral flankers). The test is administered while EEG is recorded simultaneously to assess Executive Function and Response Inhibition at the neurophysiological level. - Hayling Test: This test consists of participants being aurally presented congruent and incongruent sentences; whereby, the congruent sentences are "normal" sentences with the final word being correct (e.g., "The pizza was too hot to eat"). In contrast, the incongruent sentences have the final word of a sentence being incorrect (e.g., The pizza was too hot to sing"). The test is administered while EEG is recorded simultaneously to assess Language Comprehension at the neurophysiological level. Biological Markers Measured (up to 7) ● N100/P200 - Auditory and Visual Processing - N100 ERP is a temporal and frontal component elicited by auditory stimuli. The response is associated with perception. - P200 ERP is mainly exhibited at the frontal and occipital lobes and represents higher order perceptual processes such as visual search, language, context information, memory and repetition effects. I.e. all processes modulated by attention. - N200 - Information Processing and Executive Function - N200 is a centro-cortical component associated with conscious stimuli detection (i.e. information processing and response inhibition) ● P300 - Attention and Memory - The P3a is a fronto-central component associated with attention orienting and is followed by the P3b, a centro-parietal component often linked to processes related to memory and attention allocation ● N400 - Language Comprehension (TBD) - N400 is a central component and acts as the normal brain response to semantic stimuli. For example, words, sign language, pictures, faces, smells. Benefits and Military Significance Understanding the relationship between exposure to repetitive, sub-concussive impacts to behavioural symptomatology, vestibular ocular dysfunction, brain electrophysiology, and cognition to aid in early detection/prevention, treatment and prognostication of SOF members. Moreover, this study will lay the foundation for future research for years to come.


Recruitment information / eligibility

Status Recruiting
Enrollment 20
Est. completion date December 1, 2026
Est. primary completion date August 1, 2025
Accepts healthy volunteers
Gender All
Age group 18 Years to 65 Years
Eligibility Inclusion Criteria: - ? Male or female between 18 and 65 - Normal or corrected to normal vision and hearing (Note: If the patient has hearing aids or wears glasses, they are still able to complete the assessment. They will need to remove hearing aids for the Attention & Concentration and Information Processing test) - Sit still for 10-15 minutes - Understand basic instructions of cognitive tests Exclusion Criteria: - ? Metal plates under their scalp that cross the midline - Taking epilepsy medications - History of neurologic or neuropsychiatric disorder prior to concussion in controls - Taking psychotropic medications - History of complete deafness - Supplements or performance enhancing drugs that can affect brain function

Study Design


Related Conditions & MeSH terms


Intervention

Device:
ERP Testing
Attention & Concentration: Continuous Visual Memory Test (CVMT): Flanker Task: Hayling Test:

Locations

Country Name City State
Canada Canadian Forces Health Services Ottawa Ontario

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor Collaborator
Canadian Forces Health Services Centre Ottawa

Country where clinical trial is conducted

Canada, 

Outcome

Type Measure Description Time frame Safety issue
Primary Event Related Potential Changes changes on selected event related potentials (ie N100, P200, N200, P300, N400) when testing attention, concentration, continuous visual memory, executive function and comprehension baseline and within 1 week of completion of 4 week training course
Secondary Impact Cognitive testing FDA cleared online tool for baseline and post-injury testing. It measures patient reported symptoms, visual and verbal memory, reaction time, and processing speed to help determine if a patient can safely return to activity. baseline and within 1 week of completion of 4 week training course
Secondary VOMS Vestibular Ocular Motor Screening (VOMS) consists of symptom reporting (eg headache, dizziness, nausea, and fogginess) ranging from 0 (none) to 10 (severe) after testing smooth pursuits, saccades (horizontal and vertical), convergence, Neer Point of Convergence (NPC) distance, horizontal VOR, vertical VOR, and visual motor sensitivity (VMS). For the purpose of this study, we will use the VOMS cutoff scores of =2 total symptom score on any VOMS subscale and/or =5 cm on NPC average distance baseline and within 1 week of completion of 4 week training course
See also
  Status Clinical Trial Phase
Completed NCT02299128 - Effectiveness of Early Physical Therapy Intervention for Patients With Dizziness After a Sports-Related Concussion N/A
Completed NCT02383472 - LED Therapy for the Treatment of Concussive Brain Injury N/A
Recruiting NCT06112093 - Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Post-concussion Headaches N/A
Terminated NCT02597504 - Development of a Neurocognitive Screening Test N/A
Completed NCT00409058 - Teen Online Problem Solving (TOPS) - An Online Intervention Following TBI N/A
Completed NCT00295074 - The Effect of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury on Recovery From Injury N/A
Completed NCT00483444 - Telephone Follow-Up on Outcome After Mild Traumatic Brain Injury N/A
Completed NCT03319966 - Eyetracking and Neurovision Rehabilitation of Oculomotor Dysfunction in Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Completed NCT04681742 - Feasibility Testing of Cognitive Strategy Training in Post-Concussive Syndrome N/A
Completed NCT03759223 - Enhanced Problem-Solving Training N/A
Completed NCT00857207 - Metacognitive Training to Enhance Strategy Use in Blast-Related TBI N/A
Not yet recruiting NCT06131242 - The s100β Levels in Patients With Mild Brain Injury.
Completed NCT02368366 - Comparative Effectiveness of Family Problem-Solving Therapy (F-PST) for Adolescent TBI N/A
Completed NCT02858544 - Concussion in Motor Vehicle Accidents: The Concussion Identification Index N/A
Completed NCT00142090 - Use of Salt-Water Solution to Improve Symptoms in Concussion N/A
Recruiting NCT05837676 - Problem-Solving Training for Concussion N/A
Recruiting NCT06015451 - Exercise in Postconcussion Symptoms and Posttraumatic Headache N/A
Completed NCT00724607 - Brain Injury Outcomes (BIO) Study
Completed NCT02486003 - Testing mTBI in Athletes N/A
Completed NCT02455037 - Evaluation of a Neck Strengthening Program to Reduce the Risk of Sport-related Concussion N/A