Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Interventional Ages 7 to 17

Using CBT to help kids with OCD stop medication safely

Official title: CBT Augmentation to Promote Medication Discontinuation in Pediatric OCD

Run by Baylor College of Medicine · NCT05609916 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing if kids and teens with OCD can safely stop their medication after getting extra help from online therapy.

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages7 Years to 17 Years
SexAll
Enrollment200 (estimated)
SponsorBaylor College of Medicine
Academic / other
Locations1 site (Houston, Texas)
StatusRecruiting
StartedNovember 30, 2022
Main results expectedJuly 30, 2027
Study endsAugust 30, 2027
Registry record updatedAugust 4, 2026
Trial IDNCT05609916 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are children and adolescents aged 7 to 17 with a primary diagnosis of OCD who have been on stable SRI medication for at least 12 weeks.

Probably not a fit

Patients with severe psychiatric conditions or those currently receiving other forms of psychotherapy for OCD 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 investigates whether children and adolescents with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can safely discontinue their medication after receiving cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) augmentation. Participants aged 7 to 17 who have been on stable serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRI) for at least 12 weeks will first undergo a web-based CBT program for 12 to 18 weeks. Those who show significant improvement will then be randomized to either continue their medication or gradually switch to a placebo while receiving ongoing CBT support for 24 weeks. The study also includes genomic sample banking for future research on OCD.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could allow pediatric patients with OCD to discontinue medication without experiencing a relapse.

How similar studies have gone: While the combination of CBT and medication has shown effectiveness in treating OCD, this specific approach to medication discontinuation is novel and has not been extensively tested.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* The child is between the ages of 7 to 17 at enrollment with a primary diagnosis of OCD of \> 6 months duration based on the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia Lifetime Version for DSM-5 (KSADS-PL) and have a CY-BOCS ≥ 16.
* The child is on stable and maximally tolerated SRI medication (i.e., clomipramine, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, sertraline, citalopram, escitalopram) for ≥12 weeks given that they are persistently and moderately symptomatic. Paroxetine is exclusionary due to safety concerns.
* Both the child and parent participating in the study are English speaking.
* Both the child and their parent participating in the study reside in Texas.

Exclusion Criteria:

* The child has a diagnosis of lifetime DSM-5 bipolar disorder, psychotic disorder, and/or intellectual disability.
* The child has severe current suicidal/homicidal ideation and/or self-injury requiring medical intervention.
* The child is receiving concurrent psychotherapy for OCD.
* Initiation of a psychotropic medication less than 4 weeks prior to study enrollment or a stimulant/psychoactive medication less than 2 weeks prior to study enrollment.

Where it's running

  • Baylor College of Medicine
    Houston, Texas, United States
    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.
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.