Cognitive Training in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

NCT ID: NCT02818088

Last Updated: 2021-05-06

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: TERMINATED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 9 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2016-02-29
• Study Completion Date: 2019-12-31

Brief Summary

This unique study will allow us to observe the neural correlates associated with working memory in an obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) paradigm. We believe that developing working memory in participants suffering with OCD will reduce the severity of their symptomology. This will allow a greater understanding into the functioning of these participants which in turn presents with treatment possibilities.

Detailed Description

It is currently unclear whether cognitive training using a working memory task, is effective in reducing obsessive-compulsive symptoms and neuropsychological deficits in patients with OCD. Two groups (OCD and control) will be recruited. Both groups will undergo an intervention consisting of 8 weeks of cognitive training. Working memory, neuropsychological functioning and OCD symptomatology will be assessed pre and post-treatment, in both groups. Furthermore neuroimaging using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) will be conducted at baseline as well as at the end of the 8 week period in both groups. The scan will serve to show any structural or functional changes in the frontostriatal area involved with working memory. To our knowledge, this is one of the first studies to date to examine whether cognitive training improves symptoms in OCD.

Conditions

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Study Design

• Allocation Method: NA
• Intervention Model: SINGLE_GROUP
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

Cognitive Training

Cognitive Training - n Back.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

n-Back (Cognitive Training)

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Interventions

n-Back (Cognitive Training)

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• A primary diagnosis of OCD, with a score > 16 on the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (YBOCS) (Goodman et al, 1989b, 1006-1011).
• Participants must be aged older than 18 and younger than 65 years.
• Right handed.
• If taking SSRI's the participant needs to be on a stable dose for at least 2 months.

Exclusion Criteria

• Significant physical or neurological illnesses. An exception will be made for patients taking SSRI's (and not using any other drugs).
• Any significant current DSM disorder (in addition to OCD).
• Past history of significant substance or alcohol abuse.
• Pregnancy.
• Any metal pins/ prostheses or cardiac pacemakers.
• Sufferers of claustrophobia.
• Head injury

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 65 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

University of Cape Town

OTHER

Sponsor Role: collaborator

University of Stellenbosch

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Christine Lochner

Professor Christine Lochner

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

Stellenbosch University

Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

Countries

South Africa

Other Identifiers

S14/05/113

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id