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Completed

NCT Number: NCT03684031

Impact of Cognitive Control Training on Anger Symptoms and Reactive Aggression

High trait anger is a personality construct characterized by elevations in the frequency, duration, and intensity of anger episodes. According to many social cognitive theories, hostile interpretations of everyday situations contribute to the development and maintenance of anger symptoms. This study will examine the effectiveness of a computer-based cognitive control training task.

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Key information

Conditions

Anger

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Ryerson University

Toronto, Ontario, M5B 2K3, Canada

About this study

Difficulties with anger control are reported in a number of psychological conditions and are associated with social problems, such as dating violence and workplace violence. High trait anger is a personality construct characterized by elevations in the frequency, duration, and intensity of anger episodes. However, the cognitive processes contributing to high trait anger are still poorly understood. According to the Integrative Cognitive Model of Anger and Reactive Aggression (ICM), three cognitive processes jointly contribute to the experience of high trait anger and reactive aggression: 1) hostile interpretation biases; 2) cognitive control; and 3) anger rumination. The proposed study will evaluate the validity of this model in relation to cognitive control using a computer-based cognitive control training (CCT) program.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Score of 22 or higher on the Trait Anger Scale.

Exclusion criteria

  • Reports currently receiving psychological treatment or counseling for anger management difficulties.
  • Reports changes in psychiatric medication within the last month.
  • Endorsement of current psychosis or bipolar disorder symptoms.
  • Indicates poor English language proficiency.
  • Reports clinically significant suicidal ideation, intent, or plan.

Treatment and study plan

Cognitive Control Training

Behavioral

A computer-based flanker task that aims to reinforce the recruitment of cognitive control in the presence of hostile/aggressive stimuli.

Sham Cognitive Control Training Program

Behavioral

A placebo version of the computer-based cognitive control training. Designed to appear similar to the experimental task, but will not reinforce the recruitment of cognitive control in the presence of hostile/aggressive stimuli.

Primary outcomes

  1. State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory 2nd Edition

    Time frame: Administered two times over the course of one week. Changes will be examined from visit 1 (before CCT training program) to visit 2 (after CCT training program)

    A self-report measure of the experience of anger.

  2. Computer-based cognitive control assessment

    Time frame: Administered two times over the course of one week. Changes will be examined from visit 1 (before CCT training program) to visit 2 (after CCT training program)

    A behavioural measure of hostility-primed cognitive control involving aggressive and neutral words.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Anger Rumination Scale

    Time frame: Administered two times over the course of one week. Changes will be examined from visit 1 (before CCT training program) to visit 2 (after CCT training program)

    A self-report measure of the degree to individuals focus on experiences with anger. The scale is comprised of four subscales, angry after thoughts (e.g., "Whenever I experience anger, I keep thinking about it for a while"), angry memories (e.g., "I re-enact the anger episode in my mind after it has happened"), understanding causes (e.g., "When someone provokes me, I keep wondering why this should have happened to me"), and thoughts of revenge (e.g. "I have difficulty forgiving people who have hurt me."). Participants will be asked to read each item and rate it in terms of how well it reflects their experience on a 4-point scale from 1 ("almost never") to 4 ("almost always"). Totals for each sub scale will be summed to produce a total score (range: 19-76), with higher scores indicating a greater propensity for rumination.

  2. Depression and Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21)

    Time frame: Administered two times over the course of one week. Changes will be examined from visit 1 (before CCT training program) to visit 2 (after CCT training program)

    A self-report measure of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms.Items are summed for each subscale to create subscale totals (i.e., depression, anxiety, and stress), with higher scores reflecting more severe emotional distress. Symptom score ranges include: normal (0-4), mild (5-6), moderate (7-10), severe (11-13), and extremely severe (14+).

  3. Dot probe task

    Time frame: Administered two times over the course of one week. Changes will be examined from visit 1 (before CCT training program) to visit 2 (after CCT training program)

    A behavioural measure of attentional bias towards angry faces.

  4. Adult Temperament Questionnaire (Effortful Control section)

    Time frame: Administered two times over the course of one week. Changes will be examined from visit 1 (before CCT training program) to visit 2 (after CCT training program)

    A self-report measure of one's ability to suppress inappropriate approach behavior, to perform an action when there is a strong tendency to avoid it, and to shift or focus behaviour.

  5. Reactive-Proactive Aggression Questionnaire

    Time frame: Administered two times over the course of one week. Changes will be examined from visit 1 (before CCT training program) to visit 2 (after CCT training program)

    A self-report measure of an individual's propensity for reactive aggression.

  6. Taylor Aggression Paradigm

    Time frame: Administered one time over the course of one week. Participants will be exposed to the paradigm following the second training session.]

    A behavioural measure of reactive aggression.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Toronto Metropolitan University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Impact of Cognitive Control Training on Anger Symptoms and Reactive Aggression (Anger Study)

Important dates

Study start
2019
Primary completion
2020
Study completion
2020
First posted
Sep 25, 2018
Registry last updated
Mar 24, 2020

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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