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Updated: Aug 10, 2026
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Empowering Minds: A Pilot Study to Assess Feasibility of ADAPT-SCD to Enhance Cognitive Function in Adolescents and
Grace Hurley1, Elizabeth Skidmore2, Taniya Varughese1
1Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
Background:
Executive functioning (EF) deficits are a well-documented complication of sickle cell disease (SCD), yet no standard intervention exists to address this issue. Adapting Daily Activity Performance Through Strategy Training (ADAPT) is a metacognitive strategy training protocol designed to enhance self-assessment and strategic problem-solving, showing potential to mitigate EF deficits in individuals with SCD.
Procedure:
Adolescents and young adults (AYA) aged 16-25 years with a documented SCD diagnosis were recruited. Baseline assessments of depression, self-awareness, and EF were conducted. Participants completed an adapted version of ADAPT, known as ADAPT-SCD, consisting of 10-14 sessions delivered either in person or via telehealth. Follow-up assessments were conducted immediately post-program and 6 months later. Feasibility was defined as 50% of approached AYA consenting and 10 participants completing at least 10 sessions. Acceptability was determined through participant responses in post-program interviews and surveys. A secondary aim was to examine the changes in EF and depression scores.
Results:
Feasibility of ADAPT-SCD was partially supported, with 38% (19/50) of approached AYA enrolling, and 10 participants completing the required 10 sessions. Acceptability was supported through positive participant feedback on post-program surveys and interviews. While most changes in EF and depression measures were not clinically significant, the List Sorting Working Memory subtest of the National Institutes of Health Toolbox-Cognitive Battery showed a significant improvement.
Conclusions:
ADAPT-SCD demonstrated strong acceptability and partial feasibility. However, its impact on EF and depression outcomes warrants further investigation to establish clinical significance and inform future interventions for SCD-related cognitive challenges.
