AzTrials
AzTrials

Cognitive Function 1, SocialNCT07908849

Special Operations Forces Cognitive Agility Training (SOCAT) Program Evaluation

A study testing Special Operations Cognitive Agility Training (SOCAT) in people with Cognitive Function 1, Social and Cognitive Agility, run by Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine at 1 site in United States.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
Search all trials

Trial summary

The broad objective of this research is to evaluate Special Operations Cognitive Agility Training (SOCAT), a program designed to enhance cognitive agility among military special operations forces. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
What is being tested?
Special Operations Cognitive Agility Training (SOCAT)
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
255 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
26 Jul 2021to 28 Feb 2026
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • 1. At least 18 years of age
  • 2. U.S. Special Operation Forces military personnel

Who cannot join

  • 1. Deployed or otherwise unavailable at the time(s) of SOCAT delivery

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

United States1 site

  • Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

    Bethesda, Maryland, 20814

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: Evaluating the Impact of a Cognitive Agility Optimization Training in Special Operations Forces

The broad objective of this research is to evaluate Special Operations Cognitive Agility Training (SOCAT), a program designed to enhance cognitive agility among military special operations forces.

Read the detailed description

Enhancing cognitive agility and flexibility has become a key focus of professional and leadership development across military branches and specialties (Herman et al., 2019; Kozak, 2019; Reed, 2017). This project is designed to evaluate the impact of a 4-hour cognitive performance optimization program designed for U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF) called Special Operations Cognitive Agility Training (SOCAT). The goal of the SOCAT curriculum is to enhance cognitive agility, defined as the ability to deliberately adapt cognitive processing strategies in accordance with dynamic shifts in situational and environmental demands. Through SOCAT, we anticipate SOF members will acquire knowledge and strategies related to cognitive agility including focused attention, openness, and cognitive flexibility. Findings will be used to inform SOCAT implementation across the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) enterprise and additional cognitive agility training programs for the military community.

The broad objective of the current project was to assess the impact of adding SOCAT to existing, routine USSOCOM, POTFF, and Department of Defense (DoD) training as usual (TAU) using a randomized controlled design. Out of 352 individuals contacted, 255 SOF operators and supporters were enrolled from six SOF installations. Data was collected pre-randomization to SOCAT+TAU or TAU and at 1-, 3-, and 6-month follow-ups. Additionally, to collect feedback on the SOCAT course, participants that attended SOCAT completed a brief satisfaction survey and were invited to provide course feedback via a telephone interview.

Being tested
Special Operations Cognitive Agility Training (SOCAT)
Keywords
Cognitive Performance Optimization, Cognitive Agility, Cognitive Flexibility, Randomized Controlled Trial, Special Operations Forces

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Special Operations Cognitive Agility Training (SOCAT)Behavioural

    SOCAT is an interactive, culturally relevant, and evidence-informed training program that aims to improve cognitive agility among SOF members. SOCAT consists of four modules for a total of 4 hours of training, including breaks.

Study groups in NCT07908849
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
No Intervention: Training As Usual (TAU)No interventionTAU will be comprised of routine DoD and USSOCOM trainings that are facilitated entirely through DoD and USSOCOM, which may include programs such as Army Comprehensive Soldier Fitness- Performance and Resilience Enhancement Program (CSFPREP), Marine Corps Operational Stress Control and Readiness (OSCAR), and other operational psychology training tailored to SOF members and/or deployment settings.
Experimental: SOCAT + TAUExperimentalSOF members who are randomized to the SOCAT + TAU condition will be scheduled to attend SOCAT in addition to existing, routine DoD and USSOCOM trainings. SOCAT is a 4 hour, interactive training program that aims to improve cognitive agility among SOF members.
Receives: Behavioral: Special Operations Cognitive Agility Training (SOCAT)

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Cognitive Rigidity

    The Cognitive Agility Cognitive Agility Target Practice Inventory (CATPI; Holloway et al., 2018) is an 11-item self-report instrument that was created as part of the SOCAT curriculum. The 11 items consist of statements that reflect various categories of cognitive inflexibility (e.g., "The other members of my team think I'm worthless", "If you question me, then you are not loyal").

    Measured: Assessed at Baseline and 1-, 3-, 6-Month Follow-Ups

  2. Cognitive Flexibility

    The Cognitive Flexibility Index (CFI; Dennis \& Vander Wal, 2010) is a 20-item self report instrument that measures three aspects of cognitive flexibility: the tendency to perceive difficult situations as controllable, the ability to perceive multiple alternative explanations for events, and the ability to generate multiple solutions to problems.

    Measured: Assessed at Baseline and 1-, 3-, 6-Month Follow-Ups

  3. Social Problem Solving

    The Social Problem-Solving Inventory Revised, Short Form (SPSI-R:S; D'Zurilla et al., 2002) is a 25-item self-report measure assessing two specific domains of social problem-solving ability: problem-solving orientation and problem- solving style. The problem-solving orientation assessment is composed of two subscales: Positive Problem Orientation and Negative Problem Orientation. The problem-solving style assessment is composed of three subscales: rational, impulsive/careless, and avoidant.

    Measured: Assessed at Baseline and 1-, 3-, 6-Month Follow-Ups

Secondary outcomes (6)

  1. Attentional Control

    The Attentional Control Scale, Focusing Subscale (ACS; Derryberry \& Rothbart, 1988; Derryberry \& Reed, 2002) is a 9-item focusing subscale of the ACS was designed to assess voluntary attentional focusing. Higher scores indicate greater perceived ability to limit the influence of goal-irrelevant information.

    Measured: Assessed at Baseline and 1-, 3-, 6-Month Follow-Ups

  2. Interpersonal Efficacy

    The Circumplex Scales of Interpersonal Efficacy (CSIE; Locke \& Sadler, 2007) is a 32-item self-report inventory designed to assess confidence that one can engage in a variety of interpersonal behaviors.

    Measured: Assessed at Baseline and 1-, 3-, 6-Month Follow-Ups

  3. Coping Self-Efficacy

    The Coping Self-Efficacy Scale (CSES; Chesney et al., 2006) is a 13-item self-report measure assessing beliefs related to three coping techniques: (1) stopping unpleasant thoughts, (2) problem-focused coping and, (3) using social support.

    Measured: Assessed at Baseline and 1-, 3-, 6-Month Follow-Ups

  4. Openness

    The Langer Mindfulness Scale, Novelty Seeking Subscale (LMS; Bodner, 2000; Bodner \& Langer, 2001) is a 6-item novelty seeking subscale of the LMS measures the extent to which respondents seek out new information.

    Measured: Assessed at Baseline and 1-, 3-, 6-Month Follow-Ups

  5. Maladaptive Cognitions

    The Suicide Cognitions Scale-Short Form (Bryan et al., 2017) will assess maladaptive cognitions and beliefs that are associated with suicide and negative mental health outcomes.

    Measured: Assessed at Baseline and 1-, 3-, 6-Month Follow-Ups

  6. Mental Health

    Selected scales from the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS; Ader, 2007) and NIH Toolbox will be used to assess mental health and functioning.

    PROMIS: Global Mental Health (2 items), Emotional Distress - Anger (5 items), Emotional Distress - Depression (4 items), Sleep Disturbances (4 items), Satisfaction with Participation in Discretionary Social Activities (7 items), and Self-Efficacy Managing Emotions (4 items).

    NIH Toolbox: Stress (10 items), Self-Efficacy (10 items), and Meaning and Purpose (7 items).

    Measured: Assessed at Baseline and 1-, 3-, 6-Month Follow-Ups

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted2 Nov 2026
  2. Study start26 Jul 2021
  3. Primary completion28 Feb 2026
  4. Study completion28 Feb 2026

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Prevention
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
255 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07908849
Sponsor's protocol ID
USUHS.2020.070
Other IDs
DM180309
Status last verified
Oct 2026
First submitted
26 Oct 2026
Last updated
2 Nov 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Jessica M. LaCroix, Colonel Mark R. Baggett, Su Yeon Lee-Tauler, Sarah P. Carter, Staci Vileta, Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) D. Rob Neff, Lieutenant Brendan Finton, Master Gunnery Sergeant John Bottemad, Sergeant Major (Retired) Estolita Bowling, Tech Sergeant Meagan E. Hosack, Joseph Grammer, Max Stivers, Charles A. Darmour, & Marjan Ghahramanlou-Holloway. Special Operations Cognitive Agility (SOCAT) for Special Operations Forces and Spouses. Military Psychology. 2021; DOI:10.1080/08995605.2021.1981709

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Special Operations Cognitive Agility Training (SOCAT) in people with Cognitive Function 1, Social and Cognitive Agility, run by Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine at 1 site in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 2 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 2 Nov 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Cognitive Rigidity (time frame: Assessed at Baseline and 1-, 3-, 6-Month Follow-Ups). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07908849, which also lists 1 linked publication.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 2 Nov 2026.

AzTrials uses cookies for analytics and advertising. You can accept or reject them; the site works either way. Privacy Policy.

Free account

Log in to keep searching

You’ve used your 3 free searches. AzTrials is free: log in or create a free account to keep searching clinical trials and save the ones you want to follow.

Create a free accountLog in