Aerobic Exercise and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Symptoms

NCT07103902 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 2000040629
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 50
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to examine the acute effects of exercise on cognitive flexibility and symptom reactivity. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does moderate intensity physical activity reduce subjective distress, compulsive urges, and intrusions- and increase cognitive flexibility- in adults with obsessive-compulsive disorder compared to low-intensity physical activity? Researchers will compare low- to moderate-intensity exercise to see if moderate physical activity increases cognitive flexibility and reduces symptom reactivity in adults with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Participants will: Complete self-report surveys, psychiatric interviews, and cognitive tasks. Be assigned to either a low- or moderate-intensity exercise condition and complete physical activity. Repeat cognitive and symptom measures following the exercise intervention.

Conditions

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Keywords

Anxiety Disorders; Mental Disorders; Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Cognitive flexibility will be assessed using a probabilistic reversal learning (PRL) task called the Lucky Picture Selection Game.

  Cognitive flexibility will be initially measured on day 1. Follow-up administrations will be completed 7-10 days later after the exercise intervention during session 2.

• Symptom reactivity will be assessed using the Braga Obsessive Compulsive Symptom Image Set (BOCI).

  Symptom reactivity will be initially measured on day 1. Follow-up administrations will be completed 7-10 days later after the exercise intervention during session 2.

• Exercise intensity will be measured using a PolarTech chest-strap HR monitor.

  Exercise intensity will be measured as a function of maximum heart rate (70% Max HR for moderate intensity condition and 40-50% max heart rate for low intensity condition).

  Exercise intensity will be measured during 7-10 days after baseline, during session 2.

Study Arms (2)

Moderate-Intensity Exercise

EXPERIMENTAL

Behavioral: Moderate-Intensity Exercise

Low-Intensity Exercise

OTHER

Control

Behavioral: Low-Intensity Exercise

Interventions

Moderate-Intensity Exercise BEHAVIORAL

Participants will engage in 20 minutes of cycling at approximately 70% max heart rate with a 2.5 minute warm up and a 2.5 minute cool down.

Moderate-Intensity Exercise

Low-Intensity Exercise BEHAVIORAL

Participants will engage in 20 minutes of cycling at approximately 40-50% max heart rate with a 2.5 minute warm up and a 2.5 minute cool down.

Low-Intensity Exercise

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 64 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Adults, age 18 to 64 years
• Meet diagnostic criteria for OCD (per the DIAMOND)
• Stable psychiatric or medication treatment (if ≥4-weeks), or if no active treatment. Psychotropic medications will be reviewed with the study psychiatrist on a case by case basis.

You may not qualify if:

• Active or unmanaged psychotic disorders, pervasive developmental disorders, bipolar disorder, current substance use disorder (moderate-to-severe), or high risk for suicide (defined as attempt, plan, or intent within past 3 months)
• Documented motor impairments and medical condition(s) that prohibit physical exercise
• Those who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Yale University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Temple Medical Center

New Haven, Connecticut, 06511, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder; Anxiety Disorders; Mental Disorders

Central Study Contacts

Emily Weiss, PhD

CONTACT

203-858-1225; emily.weiss@yale.edu

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 24, 2025
• First Posted: August 5, 2025
• Study Start: December 1, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): September 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): September 1, 2026
• Last Updated: November 10, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Time Frame: IPD will be shared within one year of study completion.
• Access Criteria: Access to IPD will be made available upon request.

Locations

US (1)