Exposure and Response Prevention for OCD

Overseen By Amy Rapp, Ph.D.

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Must not be taking: Psychiatric medications

Disqualifiers: Psychiatric disorders, OCD family history, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 17

Duration: 10 weeks

100 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how a specific therapy, Exposure and Response Prevention, can assist individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The researchers aim to better understand the brain processes behind compulsive behaviors and enhance the effectiveness of OCD treatments. The trial includes two groups: one with adults diagnosed with OCD, who will receive therapy, and another with healthy individuals who will not receive treatment. Suitable candidates for the trial are adults with OCD whose compulsive behaviors significantly impact their daily lives. As an unphased trial, this study offers participants the chance to contribute to groundbreaking research that could improve OCD treatments for many.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

Yes, if you are taking psychiatric medication, you will not be eligible to participate in this trial.

What prior data suggests that Exposure and Response Prevention is safe for treating OCD?

Research has shown that Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is a safe and well-accepted treatment for people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Studies have found that ERP effectively reduces OCD symptoms and also helps with depression and anxiety. This therapy involves gradually exposing individuals to situations that trigger their obsessions in a controlled and safe manner, helping them learn to manage their reactions. No significant reports of serious side effects exist, making ERP a reliable option for managing OCD symptoms. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD because it directly targets the core symptoms of OCD by helping patients face their fears and resist compulsive behaviors. Unlike medications like SSRIs, which alter brain chemistry to reduce symptoms, ERP empowers individuals to actively change their responses to anxiety-provoking situations. This cognitive behavioral therapy is highly structured and personalized, offering a hands-on approach that can lead to long-lasting improvements in managing OCD symptoms. Additionally, ERP is recognized for its effectiveness without the side effects often associated with pharmacological treatments.

What is the effectiveness track record for Exposure and Response Prevention in treating OCD?

Research has shown that Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) effectively treats obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Studies have found that it can significantly reduce OCD symptoms, with more than 50% of people responding well to the treatment. In this trial, all participants diagnosed with OCD will receive ERP, consisting of 17 sessions over 10 weeks. Patients undergoing ERP often see improvements in related issues like depression and anxiety. This therapy helps individuals face their fears safely and learn to resist compulsive behaviors. Overall, ERP has proven to lead to meaningful improvements in both OCD symptoms and overall mental health. ^{1 2 4 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Amy Rapp, PhD

Principal Investigator

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults diagnosed with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and healthy individuals without OCD. The study aims to include 50 participants from each group, totaling 100. Specific eligibility criteria are not provided in the given information.

Inclusion Criteria

Participants must be English-speaking

Participants must be able to provide consent

I am between 18 and 55 years old.

Exclusion Criteria

I have OCD but no other major psychiatric disorders.

I do not have a parent or sibling diagnosed with OCD.

Individuals diagnosed with OCD will be excluded if it is unsafe for them to participate in research

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants diagnosed with OCD receive 17 sessions of exposure and response prevention therapy over 10 weeks

10 weeks

17 sessions (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Exposure and Response Prevention

Trial Overview The study is testing a new approach to understanding compulsivity in OCD by using computational modeling and EEG. It seeks to move beyond traditional theories by examining complex neurocognitive interactions, which could help personalize treatments.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Participants diagnosed with OCD Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

All participants diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) who enroll in this study will receive 17 sessions of exposure and response prevention, a specialized cognitive behavioral therapy for OCD, over the course of 10 weeks.

Group II: Healthy controls Active Control 1 Intervention

Individuals who do not have a current or lifetime psychiatric diagnosis will not receive any treatment.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Lead Sponsor

Trials

933

Recruited

579,000+

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Collaborator

Trials

3,007

Recruited

2,852,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6343408/

Exposure and response prevention for obsessive-compulsive ... In this review, we will describe the theoretical underpinnings and elements of ERP, examine the evidence for its effectiveness, and discuss new directions for ...

2. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S016517812200453X

The effect of exposure and response prevention therapy on ... In addition, compared with the control group, ERP reduced depression (g = 0.15) and anxiety symptoms (g = 0.23) in patients with OCD. Meta-regression results ...

3. jmir.org jmir.org/2022/5/e36431

Online Video Teletherapy Treatment of Obsessive ... The treatment resulted in a mean reduction in OCD symptoms of 38.9%, with a response rate (≥35% reduction in OCD symptoms) of 52%. Mean ...

4. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.973838/full

The effectiveness of exposure and response prevention ... Conclusion: Patients with OCD have significant improvement in symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder and depression when ERP is combined with medication, ...

5. bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12888-022-03701-z

effects of habituation and expectancy violation on short-term ... This study aimed to identify mechanisms of exposure with response prevention (ERP) that predict short-term outcomes in CBT for obsessive ...

6. jamanetwork.com jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2834260

Exposure Therapy in Mixed Reality for Obsessive ... This randomized clinical trial compares the efficacy of exposure and response prevention therapy in mixed reality with self-guided exposure ...

7. deconstructingstigma.org deconstructingstigma.org/guides/erp

What Is ERP Therapy? A Guide to OCD's Leading Treatment ERP therapy is a behavioral therapy that gradually exposes people to situations designed to provoke a person's obsessions in a safe ...