Helping older adults with hoarding disorder through cognitive rehabilitation and exposure therapy
Official title: Cognitive Rehabilitation and Exposure Therapy for Geriatric Hoarding
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-11001529 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking for older adults with hoarding disorder to try out some friendly therapy techniques that can help them feel less anxious about letting go of things and make better decisions about their belongings, all with the goal of improving their daily lives.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | March 15, 2022 |
| Project end | December 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $603,408 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH127056-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11001529 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults, particularly those over 60, who struggle with hoarding behaviors and experience significant distress or impairment due to clutter.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have hoarding disorder or those with severe cognitive impairments that prevent participation in therapy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on addressing hoarding disorder (HD) in older adults, a condition characterized by persistent difficulty in discarding possessions. The study aims to implement cognitive rehabilitation and exposure therapy to improve decision-making and reduce anxiety related to discarding items. By targeting cognitive control deficits and emotional responses, the research seeks to alleviate the distress and functional impairment caused by hoarding. Participants will engage in therapeutic interventions designed to enhance their ability to manage clutter and improve their quality of life.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the lives of older adults suffering from hoarding disorder by reducing clutter and associated distress.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in using cognitive rehabilitation and exposure therapy for treating anxiety-related disorders, suggesting potential success for this approach in hoarding disorder.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ayers, Catherine — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Ayers, Catherine
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.