NCT02206945

Brief Summary

The aim of this study is to train patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder to control a region of their brain that has been associated with their symptoms. Patients in the experimental group will be given direct feedback regarding activity in this brain area while they are undergoing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanning, and will try to learn to control activity in the region during these feedback sessions. A separate group of patients will be given a control form of feedback that we do not believe can have clinical benefits. Our primary hypothesis is that the neurofeedback training will reduce OCD symptoms more than the control feedback.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
44

participants targeted

Target at P25-P50 for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Jul 2015

Longer than P75 for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

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Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

July 28, 2014

Completed
4 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

August 1, 2014

Completed
11 months until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

July 1, 2015

Completed
6.3 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

November 1, 2021

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

November 1, 2021

Completed
Last Updated

February 11, 2022

Status Verified

February 1, 2022

Enrollment Period

6.3 years

First QC Date

July 28, 2014

Last Update Submit

February 10, 2022

Conditions

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

  • A modified version of the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Symptom scale (Y-BOCS) will be used, that queries subjects regarding symptoms

    Immediately before intervention

  • A modified version of the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Symptom scale (Y-BOCS) will be used, that queries subjects regarding symptoms

    Approximately 4 days post-intervention

Secondary Outcomes (2)

  • Control over target brain area

    Approximately 4 days pre-intervention

  • Control over the target brain area.

    Approximately 4 days post-intervention

Other Outcomes (6)

  • Functional connectivity patterns in the brain

    Approximately 4 days pre-intervention

  • Functional connectivity patterns in the brain

    Approximately 4 days post-intervention

  • A modified version of the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Symptom scale (Y-BOCS) will be used, that queries subjects regarding symptoms

    Approximately 2 weeks post-intervention

  • +3 more other outcomes

Study Arms (2)

neurofeedback

EXPERIMENTAL

Two imaging sessions of neurofeedback.

Behavioral: neurofeedback

control feedback

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Two imaging sessions of feedback

Behavioral: control feedback

Interventions

neurofeedbackBEHAVIORAL

Subject provided with feedback of activity in target brain area in the form of a line graph. Cued to try to make the line go up at certain times and down at other times.

neurofeedback

Subject provided with a control/placebo type of feedback in the form of a line graph. Cued to try to make the line go up at certain times and down at other times.

control feedback

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years - 65 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Primary Diagnosis of Current OCD, based on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV) criteria, a Y-BOCS (Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale) score \>=16
  • Principle OCD symptoms- Primary symptoms must be either Cleaning/Contamination or Checking; other symptoms okay
  • Unmedicated (or medications stable for 8 weeks).
  • Research group must be able to identify a target region in the orbitofrontal cortex that is related to symptoms

You may not qualify if:

  • Active Psychosis; Pervasive Developmental Disorder ; epilepsy or other major neurological disorder
  • History of major head trauma or psychosurgery
  • Active Substance Abuse within 6 months
  • Seizure disorder or other significant neurological disorder
  • Active Suicidality
  • Pregnancy
  • severe claustrophobia, ferromagnetic metal in the body, a pacemaker or defibrillator, or any other condition that would make MRI scanning unsafe or inappropriate
  • any psychotropic medication other than a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant, anafranil, or a low-dose hypnotic or anxiolytic taken on an as-needed basis

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Yale University School of Medicine

New Haven, Connecticut, 06520, United States

Location

Related Publications (1)

  • Rance M, Zhao Z, Zaboski B, Kichuk SA, Romaker E, Koller WN, Walsh C, Harris-Starling C, Wasylink S, Adams T Jr, Gruner P, Pittenger C, Hampson M. Neurofeedback for obsessive compulsive disorder: A randomized, double-blind trial. Psychiatry Res. 2023 Oct;328:115458. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115458. Epub 2023 Sep 3.

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Interventions

Neurofeedback

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Anxiety DisordersMental Disorders

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Biofeedback, PsychologyMind-Body TherapiesComplementary TherapiesTherapeuticsBehavior TherapyPsychotherapyBehavioral Disciplines and ActivitiesFeedback, Psychological

Study Officials

  • Michelle Hampson, PhD

    Yale University

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
DOUBLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

July 28, 2014

First Posted

August 1, 2014

Study Start

July 1, 2015

Primary Completion

November 1, 2021

Study Completion

November 1, 2021

Last Updated

February 11, 2022

Record last verified: 2022-02

Locations