Game-like cognitive training for treating OCD in young children

Cognitive Control Targets for the Treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in Young Children

This study is testing a fun video game designed to help young children with OCD improve their thinking skills and reduce their symptoms over four weeks.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 60 (estimated)
• Ages: 8 Years to 12 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Columbia University (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (New York, New York)
• Trial ID: NCT06102941 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study examines the effects of a computerized cognitive control training program designed for children with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Over four weeks, participants aged 8 to 12 will engage in a child-friendly video game that targets cognitive control processes such as attention and memory. The program will be delivered at home via iPad for 25 minutes a day, five days a week. Participants will undergo assessments and MRI scans before and after the training to evaluate its impact on cognitive function and symptom reduction. Following the training, children will be offered a course of cognitive behavioral therapy to further address their OCD symptoms.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are children aged 8 to 12 who have clinically significant OCD symptoms and are not currently on psychotropic medications or receiving psychotherapy.

Not a fit: Patients with current or past diagnoses of major depressive disorder, PTSD, or other severe psychiatric conditions may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could enhance cognitive control in children with OCD, leading to improved treatment outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: While cognitive control training has shown promise in other contexts, this specific application for OCD in children is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Ages between 8 and 12 years;
* Clinically significant OCD as the principal problem. This is defined as follows: they must meet DSM-V criteria for OCD as assessed with the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children Present and Lifetime Version (K-SADS-PL). OCD must be the primary source of interference and distress (based on clinical evaluation with K- SADS-PL and Children's Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (C-YBOCS) and they must have clinically significant symptoms (i.e., C-YBOCS) ≥ 16;
* Not on psychotropic medication (either treatment-naïve or free of psychotropic medication for at least three months) and not receiving current psychotherapy for OCD;
* Ability to tolerate a treatment-free period (i.e., no treatment other than study CBT);
* Capacity to provide informed assent

Exclusion Criteria:

* Current or past diagnosis of major depressive disorder, PTSD, substance/alcohol abuse, psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, eating disorder, pervasive developmental disorder, substance/alcohol dependence, or any other Axis I disorder not listed above;
* Active suicidal ideation;
* Females who are pregnant or nursing;
* Any major medical or neurological problem (e.g., unstable hypertension, seizure disorder, head trauma); -Positive urine screen for illicit drugs;
* Presence of metallic device or dental braces;
* IQ \<80;

Where this trial is running

New York, New York

• Columbia University Irving Medical Center — New York, New York, United States (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Rachel Marsh — Columbia University
• Study coordinator: Marsh Lab

Conditions Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in Children