Cognitive and psychological improvements following CogSMART in veterans with mental health diagnoses

Abstract

Introduction The present study examined the efficacy of a CogSMART-based program in improving cognitive and emotional functioning in a clinic-based sample of Veterans presenting with cognitive concerns and history of mental health diagnoses. Method Forty Veterans (Mage = 61.2 years, 85% male) completed a weekly CogSMART-based group program as well as a battery of neuropsychological and psychological measures at both pre- and post-group evaluations. Participants met DSM-5 criteria for at least one mental health diagnosis. Results Significant improvements on global cognition as well as measures of learning/memory and attention were observed from pre- to post-group (p < .05, cohen’s d range = .48–1.01). As many as 33.3% of participants showed significant improvement, depending on the cognitive domain. Significant overall improvements were observed in depression symptoms and life satisfaction (p < .01, cohen’s d = .67 and .59, respectively). Over one-third of the sample demonstrated a reliable improvement in depressive symptoms, 25% in anxiety symptoms, and 18% in life satisfaction. Conclusions Among individuals with mental health diagnosis but without major neurocognitive disorders, CogSMART-based interventions may be an effective treatment for improving aspects of cognition, depression, and life satisfaction.