Active not recruitingPHASE1INTERVENTIONAL

Priming CBT With rTMS for OCD

This research is exploring a new way to help people with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). The main treatment for OCD is a type of talking therapy called Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). However, not everyone gets as much benefit from CBT as hoped. This study is testing if a brief, gentle brain stimulation called rTMS, given before CBT starts, can make the CBT more effective. rTMS uses magnetic pulses to stimulate specific areas of the brain. Research suggests rTMS might improve things like attention and memory, which are important skills for learning and benefiting from CBT. The goal is to see if boosting these brain functions before CBT can lead to better results for people with OCD.

At a glance

Status

Active not recruiting

Phase

PHASE1

Sponsor

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

Enrolment target

Start

05 Feb 2025

Estimated completion

01 Jun 2026

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

What is this study about?

This study is looking into new ways to help people living with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). OCD is a condition where people have unwanted thoughts or urges (obsessions) and often feel they need to repeat certain actions (compulsions). These can greatly affect daily life and overall well-being. The current best treatment for OCD is a type of talking therapy called Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or CBT. This therapy helps people learn new ways of thinking and behaving to manage their OCD symptoms.

Sometimes, people with OCD might find it challenging to fully benefit from CBT, perhaps because their attention, memory, or other brain functions (often called 'cognitive' functions) aren't working as well as they could. This study is exploring if a technique called repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) could help. rTMS is a gentle procedure where magnetic pulses are used to stimulate specific areas of the brain. It's non-invasive, meaning it doesn't involve surgery or needles.

The idea behind this study is that brief rTMS treatment, given *before* someone starts their CBT, might help improve attention, memory, and other brain functions. The hope is that by giving these cognitive abilities a boost, people will be better prepared to learn and apply the skills taught in CBT, ultimately leading to a greater improvement in their OCD symptoms. This is a pilot study, meaning it's an initial test to see if this approach is promising and could eventually be used more widely in clinics.

Key takeaways

This study is testing a new way to treat OCD.
It combines gentle brain stimulation (rTMS) with talking therapy (CBT).
The aim is to see if rTMS can make CBT more effective by boosting brain functions.
rTMS involves magnetic pulses to specific brain areas.
Participation is voluntary, and you can withdraw at any time.

Who may be eligible?

To be considered for this study, you would need to be between 18 and 65 years old. You must also have OCD symptoms that are currently causing significant distress, as measured by a specific scale used by doctors. If you are taking medication for your OCD, it needs to have been at a steady dose for at least eight weeks before you join the study.

There are also some reasons why you might not be able to participate. For example, if you have other serious mental health conditions like certain mood disorders, schizophrenia, or current drug or alcohol dependence, you wouldn't be able to join. Similarly, if you have a known brain condition or another serious medical issue that might need urgent treatment, this study wouldn't be suitable for you.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you between 18 and 65 years old?
Do you have significant OCD symptoms that affect your daily life?
If you take OCD medication, has your dose been stable for at least 8 weeks?
Do you have other serious mental health conditions, like certain mood disorders or schizophrenia?
Do you have any serious ongoing medical conditions that need urgent treatment?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you take part in this study, you would first have assessments to confirm you meet the study's criteria. Then, you would receive a series of rTMS treatments before starting your Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Both the rTMS and CBT sessions would involve regular visits to the clinic. You would also have regular check-ups and assessments, including questionnaires and possibly some specific tasks to measure brain functions like attention and memory, during and after your treatment to see how you are progressing. The total duration of your participation, including the rTMS, CBT, and follow-up, would be fully explained before you agree to join.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study may offer potential benefits, such as receiving a combination of advanced treatments (rTMS and CBT) that could lead to improved OCD symptoms and cognitive functions. However, as with all medical interventions, there are potential risks associated with rTMS, though it is generally considered safe. These may include mild headaches or scalp discomfort during treatment, and very rarely, seizures. The study will carefully monitor your well-being. Remember, your participation is completely voluntary, and you have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your usual medical care.

Locations (1)

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Verified postcode
Toronto, Canada

Common questions

What is rTMS?

rTMS stands for repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. It's a non-invasive treatment that uses magnetic pulses to gently stimulate specific areas of the brain.

What is CBT?

CBT, or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, is a type of talking therapy that helps people understand and change unhelpful patterns of thinking and behaviour to manage their OCD.

Is rTMS painful?

Most people find rTMS to be well-tolerated. You might feel a tapping sensation on your scalp during treatment, and some people experience a mild headache, but it's generally not painful.

How long will the study last?

The full duration of your involvement, including treatments and follow-up appointments, would be explained to you in detail before you decide to take part.

What if I'm already taking medication for OCD?

If you're on medication, it generally needs to be at a stable dose for at least eight weeks before you can join the study.