← Back to Search

Behavioural Intervention

tDCS for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

N/A
Recruiting
Led By Joan Camprodon, MD, MPH, PhD
Research Sponsored by Massachusetts General Hospital
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial
Must have
Be between 18 and 65 years old
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up extinction recall phase (day 2)
Awards & highlights

Study Summary

This trial will investigate whether tDCS can help people with OCD to better control their fear.

Who is the study for?
This trial is for English-speaking adults with primary OCD causing moderate distress (Y-BOCS score ≥ 16). Participants should be comfortable using a computer. Excluded are those with significant head injuries, metal implants in the head/neck, pacemakers, pregnancy, epilepsy, recent substance abuse, history of mania or psychosis, resistance to multiple OCD treatments or use of benzodiazepines within two weeks.Check my eligibility
What is being tested?
The study tests whether transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) can help people with OCD overcome unwanted fear by altering brain activity. It compares active tDCS against sham (placebo) treatment to see if there's an improvement in managing fear.See study design
What are the potential side effects?
Possible side effects from tDCS may include discomfort at the electrode site on the scalp, itching or tingling during stimulation, fatigue after treatment sessions and headaches.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~extinction recall phase (day 2)
This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and extinction recall phase (day 2) for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Outcome measures can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.
Primary outcome measures
Difference in frontomedial theta power (EEG) to the conditioned stimulus (CS+) versus the unconditioned stimulus (CS-) between tDCS conditions during extinction recall
Difference in skin conductance response (SCR) to the conditioned stimulus (CS+) versus the unconditioned stimulus (CS-) between tDCS conditions during extinction recall

Side effects data

From 2012 Phase 3 trial • 60 Patients • NCT01649232
10%
headache
10%
headedness / dizziness
7%
fatigue or nausea
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
Study treatment Arm
Active tDCS
Controls

Trial Design

4Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Placebo Group
Group I: Active tDCS administered during extinction phaseExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
The investigators will stimulate using 2mA of direct current during 20 min during the extinction phase of the fear conditioning and extinction paradigm.
Group II: Active tDCS administered before extinction phaseExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
The investigators will stimulate using 2mA of direct current during 20 min before the extinction phase of the fear conditioning and extinction paradigm.
Group III: Active tDCS administered after extinction phaseExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
The investigators will stimulate using 2mA of direct current during 20 min after the extinction phase of the fear conditioning and extinction paradigm.
Group IV: Sham tDCSPlacebo Group1 Intervention
Sham will consist of a ramp up and down of activity (from 0 to 2mA and back to 0mA) in the first 30sec and again in the last 30 sec of the 20min stimulation period (which will occur before/during/after the extinction phase). No active tDCS will occur.
Treatment
First Studied
Drug Approval Stage
How many patients have taken this drug
Active tDCS
2012
Completed Phase 3
~1150

Find a Location

Who is running the clinical trial?

Massachusetts General HospitalLead Sponsor
2,933 Previous Clinical Trials
13,198,381 Total Patients Enrolled
26 Trials studying Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
1,512 Patients Enrolled for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Foundation for OCD ResearchUNKNOWN
1 Previous Clinical Trials
360 Total Patients Enrolled
1 Trials studying Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
360 Patients Enrolled for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Joan Camprodon, MD, MPH, PhDPrincipal InvestigatorMassachusetts General Hospital

Media Library

tDCS (Behavioural Intervention) Clinical Trial Eligibility Overview. Trial Name: NCT05521074 — N/A
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Research Study Groups: Active tDCS administered before extinction phase, Active tDCS administered during extinction phase, Active tDCS administered after extinction phase, Sham tDCS
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Clinical Trial 2023: tDCS Highlights & Side Effects. Trial Name: NCT05521074 — N/A
tDCS (Behavioural Intervention) 2023 Treatment Timeline for Medical Study. Trial Name: NCT05521074 — N/A
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Patient Testimony for trial: Trial Name: NCT05521074 — N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.

How many individuals are currently taking part in this clinical trial?

"Affirmative. Records from clinicaltrials.gov indicate that this study began recruiting on September 15th 2022, and is still actively seeking patients as of October 3rd 2022. The investigation requires 120 people to be enlisted at 1 medical centre."

Answered by AI

Is there a possibility of me participating in this trial?

"This clinical trial is searching for 120 participants between the ages of 18 and 60 who suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). To be eligible, individuals must have a Y-BOCS total score that is at least 16, demonstrate competency with computers and English language skills, consent to take part in the study, and agree to comply with all protocol requirements."

Answered by AI

Is this investigation actively seeking new participants?

"Affirmative. Clinicaltrials.gov has information noting that this clinical trial, which was first advertised on September 15th 2022, is in the process of recruiting participants. Approximately 120 individuals are needed for research from 1 different medical institution."

Answered by AI

Is the age limit for this research study inclusive of those under 40 years old?

"The upper and lower age limits for this study are 18 to 60, with 23 studies open for minors aged under 18 and 67 trials available specifically to those over 65."

Answered by AI

Who else is applying?

What state do they live in?
Massachusetts
New Hampshire
Connecticut
What site did they apply to?
Massachusetts General Hospital
What portion of applicants met pre-screening criteria?
Did not meet criteria
Met criteria
How many prior treatments have patients received?
0
2

Why did patients apply to this trial?

Excited to help science advance. To be blunt I need the money if travel is paid for.
PatientReceived 1 prior treatment

How responsive is this trial?

Average response time
  • < 2 Days
Typically responds via
Email
Most responsive sites:
  1. Massachusetts General Hospital: < 48 hours
Recent research and studies
clinicaltrials.govStudy
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Potentiation of Fear Extinction in OCD
Joan A Camprodon, MD MPH PhD 2022. "Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Potentiation of Fear Extinction in OCD". ClinicalTrials.gov. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05521074.
All > Obsessive Compulsive Disorder > Tdcs
~41 spots leftby Mar 2025
Unbiased ResultsWe believe in providing patients with all the options.
Your Data Stays Your DataWe only share your information with the clinical trials you're trying to access.
Verified Trials OnlyAll of our trials are run by licensed doctors, researchers, and healthcare companies.
Back to top