Exercise for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Overseen By Emily Weiss, PhD

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Yale University

Disqualifiers: Psychotic disorders, Bipolar, Substance use, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how varying levels of exercise impact cognitive flexibility and symptoms in people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Specifically, it examines whether moderate-intensity exercise can enhance mental flexibility and alleviate symptoms like compulsive urges and intrusive thoughts more effectively than low-intensity exercise. Participants will complete surveys, interviews, and tasks before and after exercising. This trial may suit adults with OCD who are stable on their current treatment or not undergoing any active treatment. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to understanding how exercise can benefit OCD symptoms.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop your current medications. However, your psychotropic medications will be reviewed with the study psychiatrist on a case-by-case basis.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research has shown that moderate exercise is generally safe and well-tolerated. In past studies, individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) experienced improvement after engaging in aerobic exercise. Specifically, their OCD symptoms noticeably decreased following a 12-week program of moderate exercise. Although some studies had limitations, the overall evidence suggests that exercise can be beneficial without major safety concerns.

Exercise is a common activity with known health benefits, and moderate levels are usually safe for most people. Participants in previous research did not report significant negative effects, making this a promising option for those considering joining a clinical trial. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about using exercise as a treatment for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) because it offers a potentially side-effect-free alternative to medications and psychotherapy, which are the current standards of care. Unlike typical treatments that involve drugs like SSRIs, exercise could help manage symptoms naturally by reducing stress and improving mental well-being. The trial is exploring both low-intensity and moderate-intensity exercise to see which is more effective, providing a tailored approach that might fit different patient needs. This could lead to a new, accessible way to help those with OCD improve their quality of life.

What evidence suggests that this trial's exercise treatments could be effective for obsessive-compulsive disorder?

Research has shown that moderate exercise, which participants in this trial may receive, can help reduce symptoms in people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). One study found that exercise greatly reduced OCD symptoms and improved mood and the ability to switch between different thoughts. While combining exercise with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) yielded even better results, exercise alone still offered significant benefits. Another study found that aerobic exercise improved mood more than not exercising. Overall, these findings suggest that moderate exercise could be a promising way to help manage OCD symptoms. This trial will compare moderate-intensity exercise with low-intensity exercise to evaluate their effects on OCD symptoms. ^{1 2 3 6 7}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and related anxiety disorders. Participants will be asked to complete surveys, interviews, and cognitive tasks before and after assigned exercise sessions. Specific eligibility details are not provided.

Inclusion Criteria

Meet diagnostic criteria for OCD (per the DIAMOND)

My mental health treatment has been stable for at least 4 weeks.

I am between 18 and 64 years old.

Exclusion Criteria

Active or unmanaged psychotic disorders, pervasive developmental disorders, bipolar disorder, current substance use disorder (moderate-to-severe), or high risk for suicide (defined as attempt, plan, or intent within past 3 months)

Those who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant

I have a medical condition that prevents me from exercising.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1 week

Phone screen

Baseline Assessment

Participants complete diagnostic interviews and baseline cognitive tasks

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Intervention

Participants engage in either low- or moderate-intensity exercise and complete follow-up cognitive and symptom measures

7-10 days

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in cognitive flexibility and symptom reactivity

1 week

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Low-Intensity Exercise
• Moderate-Intensity Exercise

Trial Overview The study aims to determine if moderate-intensity exercise can improve cognitive flexibility and reduce distress, compulsions, and intrusive thoughts in OCD patients compared to low-intensity exercise. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of the two exercise intensities.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Moderate-Intensity Exercise Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Group II: Low-Intensity Exercise Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Control

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Yale University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,963

Recruited

3,046,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7037579/

Acute Effects of Aerobic Exercise on Negative Affect and ... Aerobic Exercise (AE) produced greater acute mood improvements than Health Education Contact (HEC) control in patients with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

2. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0887618523000841

The effect of aerobic exercise alone and in combination ... CBT alone and combined with exercise was associated with significantly greater OCD symptom reduction than exercise alone or the control groups.

3. tandfonline.com tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13651501.2022.2151474

Effects of exercise on obsessive-compulsive disorder ... A random-effects meta-analysis of pre-post data identified a large reduction of OCD symptoms following exercise (g = 1.33 [95%CI 1.06–1.61]; k = 6). Exercise ...

4. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07103902

Aerobic Exercise and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder ... Researchers will compare low- to moderate-intensity exercise to see if moderate physical activity increases cognitive flexibility and reduces ...

5. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5726421/

A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of Aerobic Exercise as ... Though no difference between conditions on outcomes was observed, both AE and HE showed significant reduction in OCD symptom severity, depression and anxiety at ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3505448/

PMC - PubMed Central They underwent a 12-week moderate-intensity exercise intervention. We found a substantial reduction in Y-BOCS OCD severity (Cohen's d=1.69) and a decrease in ...

7. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0163834325001586

The efficacy and acceptability of physical activity for mental ... Physical exercise has a moderate effect on mental disorders (SMD = 0.534), with Tai Chi/Qigong being most effective (SMD = 0.693). · Exercise ...