Using tDCS with symptom provocation to treat resistant OCD

Is this trial a fit for you?

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 the effectiveness of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with symptom provocation in patients with severe, treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Participants will undergo ten tDCS sessions over two weeks, with each session lasting 30 minutes and preceded by a standardized symptom provocation procedure. The primary goal is to assess the reduction in obsessive-compulsive symptoms following the treatment, with evaluations conducted one and three months post-treatment. The study is conducted at a single center, ensuring a controlled environment for the intervention.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Patient suffering from OCD evolving for at least 2 years diagnosed according to DSM-V criteria;
* Patient with good insight, defined by a score less than or equal to 18 at the threshold of delusions on the BABS (Brown Assessment of Beliefs Scale) insight scale;
* Absence of a current depressive episode (MADRS score \< 21) or suicidal risk (MADRS score item 10 \< 3);
* Absence of epileptic pathology;
* Chronic obsessive-compulsive disorder defined by a total YBOCS score \> 20, or a subscale score \> 15;
* Drug-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder despite treatment with:

  1. at least 2 antidepressants of the IRS type at an effective dose and for a sufficient duration
  2. and/or Behavioral and Cognitive therapy for at least 1 year;
* Therapeutic stability (antidepressants) for more than 12 weeks without significant improvement. This treatment, at a fixed dose, will be maintained during the study;
* Patient aged between 18 and 70 included
* Patient who has given his/her informed consent after having received written information on the planned procedure;
* Patient benefiting from social security or by benefiting through a third party.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Woman of childbearing age without effective means of contraception (hormonal/mechanical: oral, injectable, transcutaneous, implantable, intrauterine device, or surgical: tubal ligation, hysterectomy, total oophorectomy)
* Pregnant or nursing woman;
* Patient hospitalized under duress (SPDT, SPDRE);
* Patient under guardianship or curatorship;
* Patient with another DSM-V Axis 1 diagnosis (Schizophrenic Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Substance Abuse or Substance Dependence).

Generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia, nicotine addiction and history of major depressive episodes are not exclusion criteria. Axis I comorbidity will be explored using MINI 5.0.0. ;

* Patient suffering from a current depressive episode;
* Patient at risk of suicide;
* Patient with skin lesions on the scalp;
* History of head trauma;
* Patient with an intracerebral metal object
* Patient with a pacemaker;
* Presence of epileptic pathology;
* Patient in an emergency situation or unable to give personal consent

Where it's running

• Centre Hospitalier Henri Laborit
  Poitiers, France Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Ghina HARIKA-GERMANEAU, Dr
• Email: ghina.harika-germaneau@ch-poitiers.fr
• Phone: 516526118

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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.