Brain training from home: could a smartphone app sharpen thinking in early psychosis?
NCT ID NCT05877716
First seen Jul 10, 2026 · Last updated Jul 10, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether a 12-week mobile program can improve cognitive function and motivation in people aged 15–40 who have had psychosis symptoms for less than five years. Participants will either use the mobile training or continue their usual care, and researchers will compare changes in thinking, motivation, and quality of life over 18 months. The goal is to see if this approach works in real-world settings across the United States.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Cognitive and social cognitive training via mobile app
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a practical, home-based way to boost thinking skills and motivation in people with early psychosis.
- What could go wrong
- This is a relatively small, early-stage study comparing two care approaches, so results may not be definitive or apply to everyone. The mobile intervention may not work as well as hoped.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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55 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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May 2023
- Expected to finish
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Mar 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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15 to 40 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Aged 15-40 (inclusive) * Is enrolled in an early psychosis coordinated specialty care clinic, or is receiving services by a mental health care professional. * Symptoms of psychosis started within the last 5 years * Is in good general physical health (e.g., not acutely ill or experiencing a sever/chronic illness that would impede their ability to complete study activities) * Fluent in spoken and written English * Estimated IQ at or above 70, as estimated by the Test My Brain matrices task * Participants will show overall clinical stability as determined by interview measures. Generally, participants who have not been hospitalized within the last 30 days, who have not had significant changes to medications, and do not have active suicidal ideation will be considered stable. * Has access to a smart phone or other mobile device to use the PRIME App * Has access to a computer or tablet to complete cognitive training exercises and study assessments Exclusion Criteria: * Unable to provide informed consent (i.e., cannot pass UBACC assessment) * Participant is under legal commitment to treatment or is under medical guardianship * Participated in significant cognitive training programs within the last 3 years * Diagnosed with a neurological disorder that may interfere with participation in the study * Clinically significant substance abuse that is impeding the participant's ability to participate fully during enrollment, assessment, or training (i.e., is unable to remain sober) * Risk of suicidal behavior
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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University of Minnesota Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences
Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55454, United States
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