Understanding how exposure therapy works for OCD

Leveraging Machine Learning Approaches to Understand Mechanisms of Exposure Therapy in Real-World Settings

NA · Mclean Hospital · NCT06173752

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

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment400 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 65 Years
SexAll
SponsorMclean Hospital (other)
Locations2 sites (San Diego, California and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT06173752 on ClinicalTrials.gov

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.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18-65 with a diagnosis of OCD seeking exposure treatment at the participating sites.

Not a fit: Patients with acute psychosis, active suicidality, or other severe co-occurring conditions may not benefit from this study.

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 performed: 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.

Eligibility criteria

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 this trial is running

San Diego, California and 1 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.