Brief Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for adolescents with OCD

A Feasibility Study of Brief Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Adolescent OCD in Routine Clinical Practice

This study is testing a short, five-session therapy for teenagers with OCD to see if it can help them feel better and fit into regular mental health services, especially for those who also have autism.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 25 (estimated)
• Ages: 11 Years to 18 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: University of Oxford (Academic / other)
• Locations: 3 sites (Reading, Berkshire and 2 other locations)
• Trial ID: NCT06983301 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This trial investigates the feasibility and effectiveness of a brief five-session Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) intervention for adolescents diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) within routine NHS child and adolescent mental health services. The intervention includes therapist support and the use of workbooks to enhance treatment adherence and engagement. The study aims to determine if this approach can be successfully integrated into existing services, particularly for young people with co-occurring autism. By evaluating clinician adherence and patient acceptability, the trial seeks to address the barriers to accessing effective OCD treatment for adolescents.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are adolescents aged 11 to 18 years who have been diagnosed with OCD and are willing to engage in treatment.

Not a fit: Patients with OCD who are not fluent in English or those who are unable to provide informed consent or assent may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly improve access to effective treatment for adolescents suffering from OCD.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promising results for brief CBT interventions in controlled settings, but this trial aims to assess its effectiveness in routine clinical practice, making it a novel approach.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Young people:

* Willing and able to give informed assent (if aged 11-15 years, and parent/carer consent is provided) or consent (if aged 16-18 years) for participation in the study.
* Aged 11 to 18 years at the time of recruitment.
* Diagnosed with OCD using the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule (ADIS) and OCD has been identified as the primary problem.
* If on pharmacotherapy for OCD, then stable dose for at least 6 weeks prior to trial entry.
* Able to speak and read English at a sufficient level to be able to read and understand the workbooks and materials and complete exercises in the workbooks.
* Willing to engage in the treatment.
* In the Investigator's opinion, is able and willing to comply with all trial requirements.
* Willing to allow his or her General Practitioner and consultant, if appropriate, to be notified of participation in the trial.

Parents/carers:

* Able and willing to provide written informed consent for their child's participation in the study.
* Able to read the parent/carer workbook and materials.
* Willing and able to participate.

Clinicians:

* Working within a participating NHS or NHS-commissioned service.
* Have a professional qualification in psychological therapy that includes training in CBT at or above post-graduate certificate level.
* Willing to participate.
* Clinical capacity and managerial approval to participate

Exclusion Criteria:

Young people:

* The clinical assessment indicates that risk/safeguarding cannot be safely managed within the service.
* Any other significant disease or disorder which, in the opinion of the Investigator, may either put the participants at risk because of participation in the trial, or may influence the result of the trial, or the participant's ability to participate in the trial.
* Evidence of learning difficulties identified by schools or evident at interview that would inhibit participation in cognitive components of therapy.
* Currently receiving a psychological intervention for OCD.

Parents/carers:

* No exclusion criteria.

Clinicians:

* No exclusion criteria

Where this trial is running

Reading, Berkshire and 2 other locations

• AnDY Research Clinic — Reading, Berkshire, United Kingdom (Recruiting)
• Department of Experimental Psychology — Oxford, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom (Not_yet_recruiting)
• AnDY Research Clinic Oxford — Oxford, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom (Not_yet_recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Polly Waite

Conditions Obsessive Compulsive Disorder; CBT; OCD; Adolescent mental health; Cognitive Behavioural Therapy; Brief psychological therapy