Combining Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with Brain Stimulation for OCD Treatment

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the effectiveness of combining exposure-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS) in treating patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). A total of 120 participants will be randomized into three groups: one receiving active tACS with CBT, another receiving sham tACS with CBT, and a waiting list group. The treatment will consist of 10 sessions over two months, with assessments of OCD symptoms and EEG monitoring to explore the neural mechanisms involved. The goal is to determine if the combination of tACS and CBT enhances treatment outcomes for OCD patients.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

The investigators recruited outpatient adults with OCD confirmed by the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). The following inclusion and exclusion criteria were also applied:

Inclusion Criteria:

* 18-60 years old
* With at least 9 years of education
* Y-BOCS score ≥16
* No history of serious medical, neurological illness or other psychotic disorders other than OCD (anxiety or mild to moderate depression secondary to OCD was not exclusionary)
* Medication-free or had received stable medication for at least 8 weeks before entering the study and continued the same medication throughout the study

Exclusion Criteria:

* History of serious medical, neurological illness or other psychotic disorders other than OCD
* OCD symptoms are severe, preventing the patient from completing the required assessment and examination
* Serious suicide risk
* Women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant
* Currently taking antiepileptic medication
* Clinically significant physical illnesses or laboratory test abnormalities that have clinical significance
* Previous completion of a full course of CBT/ERP treatment

Where it's running

• Shanghai Mental Health Center
  Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, China Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Zhen Wang, PhD, MD — Shanghai Mental Health Center
• Study coordinator: Zhen Wang, PhD, MD
• Email: wangzhen@smhc.org.cn
• Phone: +86 34773516

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.