Understanding how exposure therapy works for OCD
Official title: Leveraging Machine Learning Approaches to Understand Mechanisms of Exposure Therapy in Real-World Settings
Run by Mclean Hospital · NCT06173752 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is trying to understand how exposure therapy helps people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) by looking at different factors that affect how well the treatment works.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 400 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Mclean Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (San Diego, California and 1 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | October 16, 2024 |
| Main results expected | April 2029 |
| Study ends | April 2029 |
| Registry record updated | June 25, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06173752 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are adults aged 18-65 with a diagnosis of OCD seeking exposure treatment at the participating sites.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with acute psychosis, active suicidality, or other severe co-occurring conditions may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This study aims to identify the critical mechanisms that contribute to the effectiveness of exposure therapy for individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). By enrolling 400 adult participants receiving exposure therapy at McLean Hospital and San Diego State University, the research will analyze various factors influencing treatment outcomes through self-reports, observer ratings, and physiological measures. The goal is to enhance the understanding of exposure therapy's variability and improve treatment approaches for OCD patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to more effective and personalized exposure therapy for patients with OCD.
How similar studies have gone: While exposure therapy is a well-established treatment for OCD, this study's focus on understanding the underlying mechanisms is a novel approach that has not been extensively tested.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Between the ages of 18-65 years old * Seeking exposure treatment at McLean Hospital OCD Institute or San Diego State University * Have a diagnosis of OCD * Able to complete study measures and treatment procedures in English Exclusion Criteria: * Acute symptoms of psychosis * Active suicidality (plan, means, intent and/or suicide attempt in past 3 months) * Presence of co-occurring symptoms that warrant higher level of care (e.g., inpatient treatment) * Presence of any medical, psychiatric, or developmental condition that would prevent patients from completing assessments or exposure exercises (e.g., non-verbal autism spectrum disorder)
Where it's running
-
Center for Understanding and Treating Anxiety
San Diego, California, United States Recruiting -
McLean OCDI
Belmont, Massachusetts, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Jennie M Kuckertz, PhD — Mclean Hospital
- Study coordinator: Jennie M Kuckertz, PhD
- Email: jkuckertz@mclean.harvard.edu
- Phone: 617-855-2962
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
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Low-intensity focused ultrasound targeting the subthalamic nucleus for OCD
A short test is being done to see if a wearable, non-invasive ultrasound device can safely and tolerably help adults with OCD by targeting a brain region called the subthalamic nucleus.
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Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for OCD Delivered Online
This study tests a synchronous online MBCT program for adults with OCD to see if it is acceptable and feasible and to explore links between biological markers, OCD severity, and treatment response.
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Targeted brain stimulation for OCD: test of tTIS on nucleus accumbens
This study tests whether targeted temporal interference stimulation of the nucleus accumbens can help reduce obsessive-compulsive symptoms in adults with OCD, compared with sham stimulation.
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Anxiety Skills Study: See if video skill training plus therapy helps people with anxiety
This study tests whether a brief video-based skill training can help people with anxiety as well as four therapy sessions, and how durable the effects are over a year.
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AttunE LIFU for OCD: a non-invasive brain stimulation study
This trial tests ATTN201, a wearable ultrasound headband, to see if it helps adults with OCD compared to a sham treatment.
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Combined ERP and Habit Reversal Therapy for Tourettic OCD
This study tests whether a merged Exposure and Response Prevention and Habit Reversal Therapy helps adults with Tourettic OCD more than either therapy alone or basic psychoeducation.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.