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Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Interventional Ages 10 to 17

Family-based CBT self-help program for adolescents with OCD

Official title: Effect of a Family-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Self-Help Intervention for Adolescents With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder：A Randomized Controlled Trial

Run by Shanghai Mental Health Center · NCT06942494 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This trial will test whether a family-based CBT self-help book plus stable medication helps adolescents aged 10 to 17 reduce OCD symptoms more than medication alone.

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages10 Years to 17 Years
SexAll
Enrollment88 (estimated)
SponsorShanghai Mental Health Center
Academic / other
Locations1 site (Xuhui, Shanghai Municipality)
StatusRecruiting
StartedApril 30, 2025
Main results expectedAugust 2027
Study endsDecember 31, 2027
Registry record updatedJuly 30, 2025
Trial IDNCT06942494 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Adolescents aged 10–17 with DSM-5 OCD, moderate symptom severity (CY-BOCS 16–23), on stable medication for at least six weeks, with at least one parent able to participate and both able to read and complete exercises.

Probably not a fit

Patients with very severe OCD (CY-BOCS ≥24), high suicide risk, major neurodevelopmental or psychotic comorbidities, or who cannot engage in regular reading/exercises or clinic visits are unlikely to benefit from this intervention.

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

What this trial studies

Adolescents with DSM-5 OCD and moderate symptom severity (CY-BOCS 16–23) who have been on stable medication for at least six weeks will be enrolled with a parent partner. Participants assigned to the intervention will read one chapter and complete the corresponding exercise each week for 12 weeks while continuing their medication; a comparison group will continue medication alone. Clinical assessments and tests will be done at the clinic before and after the 12-week intervention to measure change in obsessive-compulsive symptoms. The trial seeks to identify which adolescents benefit most from a bibliotherapy, family-based approach as an adjunct to pharmacotherapy.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could give families an accessible, low-cost way to reduce adolescent OCD symptoms and expand treatment options beyond clinic-based therapy.

How similar studies have gone: Family-based CBT is an established effective treatment for adolescent OCD, and prior bibliotherapy/self-help studies have shown mixed but promising results, generally stronger in adults than in adolescents.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria 
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age between 10 and 17 years
2. Satisfied with the diagnostic criteria for OCD in DSM-5
3. 16≤CY-BOCS score ≤23
4. Taking medication stably for 6 weeks
5. Education level ⩾6 years
6. At least one parent can accompany the patients throughout the entire intervention process
7. The patient and the participating parent have sufficient reading and writing skills to complete the treatment intervention
8. The patient and the participating parent have adequate auditory and visual abilities skills to complete the necessary examinations for the study

(7) Right-handed (this criterion is for fMRI subjects only) (8) Subjects and their guardians understood the study and signed informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Obsessive-compulsive symptoms were too severe to participate in the experiment(CY-BOCS score ≥24)
2. High risk of suicide
3. Comorbid brain organic diseases, severe somatic diseases, learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders, bipolar disorder, severe eating disorders, or substance abuse
4. Completed a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) course for OCD within the past 12 months.
5. An IQ lower than 80
6. Currently undergoing other psychological/physical treatments
7. Uncooperative or unable to complete treatment
8. With metal implants in the body, such as pacemakers, intracranial silver clips, metal dentures, arterial stents, arterial clips, joint metal fixation, or other metal implants, etc. (this criterion is for fMRI subjects only)

Where it's running

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

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

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.
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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder 108Shanghai Mental Health Center 39
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.