RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Towards Remission and Full Recovery From Obsessive-compulsive Disorder

This research focuses on improving treatments for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), especially for people whose symptoms haven't fully cleared up with standard care. OCD can cause upsetting thoughts and repeated actions that take up a lot of time. The study looks at two types of talking therapy. One is called Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), where people face their fears to learn how to manage them. The other is Inference-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (I-CBT), which is thought to be easier to stick with and possibly more effective for some people. Participants who haven't fully recovered with ERP will either continue with more ERP or switch to I-CBT. The goal is to see which therapy works best and to find ways to predict which treatment will suit each person, leading to more tailored and effective help for OCD.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Ciusss de L'Est de l'Île de Montréal

Enrolment target

160

Start

01 Jul 2024

Estimated completion

30 Sep 2029

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

What is this study about?

This study is all about finding better ways to help people with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) get well. OCD can be really tough, causing unwanted, upsetting thoughts (obsessions) and strong urges to do certain things over and over again (compulsions). These can take up a lot of time and make daily life very difficult.

One common treatment for OCD is a type of talking therapy called Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). In ERP, people gradually and safely face the things they fear or avoid, learning to manage their anxiety without doing their compulsions. While ERP helps many people, it can be challenging, and not everyone’s symptoms get completely better. Sometimes, symptoms can also come back after treatment.

That's why researchers are looking at another promising talking therapy called Inference-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (I-CBT). I-CBT works in a different way and may be easier for people to go through. This study aims to find out if I-CBT can help those who haven’t fully recovered with ERP. People in the study who haven't fully recovered from an initial course of ERP will either continue with more ERP or try I-CBT. The hope is that I-CBT will be more effective for these individuals, helping them achieve a more complete recovery and improving their overall well-being. Ultimately, the study also wants to learn how to match people to the treatment that will work best for them from the start, making treatment more personal and successful.

Key takeaways

Targets improving treatment for people with persistent OCD symptoms.
Compares two talking therapies: ERP and I-CBT.
Aims to find out if I-CBT works better than continued ERP for some.
Hopes to predict which treatment suits individuals best.
Requires participants to be over 18 with an OCD diagnosis.
Involves detailed assessments of your symptoms.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you need to be at least 18 years old and have a main diagnosis of OCD. Your OCD symptoms should also be at a certain level of severity, as measured by a specific assessment tool.

It's important that any medication you might be taking for depression hasn't changed in the past eight weeks, and for anxiety in the past four weeks. You'll also need to be willing to keep your medication stable throughout the study. You shouldn't be receiving another type of talking therapy at the same time as this study. Also, you'll need access to a computer or phone with internet access to take part.

You won't be able to join if you have serious thoughts of harming yourself, or if you've had certain mental health conditions like psychosis (where you might lose touch with reality) or bipolar disorder. Conditions like severe learning difficulties or significant drug or alcohol misuse that would interfere with treatment would also mean you couldn't take part.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Do you have a main diagnosis of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?
Have you been on a stable dose of any anti-depressant medication for at least 8 weeks (or anti-anxiety medication for 4 weeks)?
Are you willing to keep your medication stable if you join the study?
Do you have access to a computer or phone with internet?
Are you currently not receiving another form of psychological therapy?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you join this study, initially all participants will receive a course of Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy. If your symptoms don't improve enough after this first course, you will then be randomly assigned to either continue with more ERP therapy or switch to 18 sessions of Inference-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (I-CBT). The study involves regular assessments by independent experts to check how your symptoms are changing. You will need to ensure any antidepressant medication hasn't changed for 8 weeks before starting, and anti-anxiety medication for 4 weeks, and you must agree to keep it stable throughout. The total duration of your involvement will depend on how you respond to the initial therapy and which group you are assigned to.

Potential risks and benefits

A potential benefit of joining this study is that you might receive an advanced form of therapy that could help reduce your OCD symptoms more effectively, especially if previous treatments haven't fully worked. You'd also contribute to vital research that could help others with OCD in the future. As with any treatment, there might be moments of discomfort, especially during ERP as you face fears, but this is always done safely and with support. All treatments have potential downsides, and you will be fully informed about these. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal
Verified postcode
Montreal, Canada· Recruiting

Common questions

What is OCD?

OCD stands for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. It's a condition where people experience upsetting, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and feel driven to do certain things repeatedly (compulsions) to try and relieve the anxiety these thoughts cause. It can be very disruptive to daily life.

What's the difference between ERP and I-CBT?

ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) involves gradually facing things that trigger your fears without performing your usual rituals. I-CBT (Inference-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) is a different type of talking therapy that focuses on changing how you interpret situations, without needing to directly provoke anxiety through exposure.

Will I have to stop my current medication?

No, you usually won't need to stop your medication. However, you must have been on a stable dose of antidepressants for 8 weeks, or anti-anxiety medication for 4 weeks, before starting the study, and agree to keep it stable while participating.

How long will the study last for me?

The total duration will vary. You'll first receive an initial course of ERP. If your symptoms don't fully go away, you'll then be randomly assigned to either more ERP or 18 sessions of I-CBT. Regular assessments will occur throughout this time.

What if I decide I don't want to continue?

You are free to stop participating in the study at any time, for any reason. Your decision will not affect your relationship with your doctors or any future medical care you receive.

How to find out more

Frederick Aardema, PhD

faardema@gmail.com 514-662-5116 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.