RecruitingInterventional

Online parent-led treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder in preadolescent children

This study explores a new online treatment for children aged 5-12 who have Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). OCD is a mental health condition that can make children have unwanted thoughts and feel they must repeat certain actions. Traditional treatments can be lengthy and hard to access. This new approach, called Online Support and Intervention (OSI-OCD), teaches parents to guide their child's therapy at home, with only around three hours of online support from a therapist. The study will check if this online method is practical, acceptable to families, and potentially helpful, compared to usual care. It will help researchers prepare for a larger study to see if OSI-OCD is as good as existing treatments, making it easier for more families to get support.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

University of Oxford

Enrolment target

Start

01 Sep 2025

Estimated completion

31 Jul 2026

Specialty: Mental Health, Primary sub-specialty: Personality disorder - OCD; Health Category: Mental health; Disease/Condition: Neurotic, stress-related and somatoform disorders

What is this study about?

This research is looking into a new way to help children aged 5 to 12 who have Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, or OCD. OCD is a condition where children can have upsetting thoughts and feel they have to do certain things over and over again, which can really affect their daily lives. Often, existing treatments, usually a type of talking therapy called CBT, take a lot of time with a specialist, which can make it hard for everyone who needs help to get it.

This study introduces something called Online Support and Intervention (OSI-OCD). It's a special online program where parents are taught how to support their child through therapy at home, with guidance from a therapist online. What's different about this program is that it needs much less direct therapist time – only about three hours. It's hoped that this could mean more families can access help when they need it. This specific study is a first step to see if OSI-OCD is practical to use and if families find it helpful and easy to follow. It's been designed with input from parents and children with OCD to make sure it's suitable.

If this initial study goes well, it will pave the way for a bigger study to find out if OSI-OCD is as good as the treatments currently offered. The aim is to understand if this online, parent-led approach can be an effective way to help children overcome OCD, making treatment more widely available across the UK. It will also look at whether there are any unwanted effects, what parents, children, and therapists think of the approach, and how it might be used in regular healthcare services.

Key takeaways

Tests a new online, parent-led treatment for children with OCD.
Aims to make OCD treatment more accessible with less therapist time.
Compares the new online treatment to usual care for OCD.
Children aged 5-12 with OCD are eligible.
Focuses on practicality and acceptability before a larger study.
Participation involves questionnaires and possible interviews over 32 weeks.

Who may be eligible?

To take part in this study, the child must be between 5 and 12 years old (inclusive) and have been diagnosed with OCD by the research team. A parent or carer must be willing and able to give their permission for both themselves and their child to join the study.

Also, the child and parent/carer must be able to understand, read, and speak English. Parents or carers should also be comfortable using an online program if their family is assigned to the new online treatment group and be willing to complete necessary forms and assessments.

You cannot take part if the child is already getting another type of talking therapy or has been on psychiatric medication where the dose hasn't been steady for at least two months. Children with a confirmed or likely diagnosis of autism or with significant learning difficulties (like attending a special school) also cannot participate. The study also cannot include children where there are serious safety concerns, such as suicidal thoughts or self-harm, or if they are involved with child protection services. Finally, if the child usually goes to a clinic where the only treatment available is a specific type of parent-led CBT from the University of Oxford, they generally won't be able to join this study.

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.

Is my child between 5 and 12 years old?
Does my child have a diagnosis of OCD?
Am I, as a parent/carer, able to understand, read, and speak English?
Does my child or I have any other ongoing talking therapies?
Are there any serious safety concerns for my child, like severe self-harm or suicidal thoughts?
Is my child currently on psychiatric medication with stable dosage for at least two months?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you and your child join this study, your family will be placed into one of two groups by chance, like flipping a coin. One group will try the new online parent-led treatment for OCD (OSI for OCD), and the other will receive the usual treatment for OCD that’s available through healthcare services. You won't get to choose which group you join.

You and your child will be asked to complete some questionnaires when you start the study, and then again after 20 weeks and 32 weeks, to see how things are going. If you're in the online treatment group, parents will also complete brief questionnaires after each session. Some parents, children, and therapists might also be asked to take part in interviews to share their experiences and thoughts on the treatment and study process. These interviews help the researchers understand how the treatment works and what people think of it. The study will run until June 2027.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study could offer benefits as both the new online treatment and usual care aim to help children with OCD. We don't yet know which treatment works best or if they are equally good, which is why this research is being done. By joining, your family will help researchers understand if this new online approach is practical and helpful, potentially improving future treatment choices for many other children with OCD. However, it's possible neither treatment works for your child. There are some risks, such as spending extra time on questionnaires and treatment sessions, which might take time away from other activities. Some questions might touch on sensitive topics, which could be upsetting, though these are similar to what’s asked in regular therapy. The research team will be careful to monitor for distress and offer support, and you can stop answering questions or leave the study at any time without affecting your child's future care. The research team doesn't expect any serious harm. All team members working with children have been checked and approved.

Locations (6)

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
City only
Bracknell, England
North East London NHS Foundation Trust
City only
Rainham, England
Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust
Approximate
Prescot, England
Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
City only
Kettering, England
Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust
Approximate
Worcester, England
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
Unverified
Manchester, England

Common questions

What is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?

OCD is a mental health condition where children experience unwanted thoughts or fears (obsessions) and feel they must repeat certain actions or routines (compulsions) to control them.

What is the new treatment being tested?

It's called Online Support and Intervention (OSI-OCD). It's an online program where parents learn how to deliver therapy to their child at home, with limited online support from a therapist.

Will my child definitely get the new online treatment?

No, families are randomly put into one of two groups: either the new online treatment or the usual treatment for OCD. It's like flipping a coin.

How long will I need to be involved in the study?

Your family will be involved in assessments at the start, and then again 20 weeks and 32 weeks later. If you're in the online treatment group, you'll also complete short forms after each session.

Who is paying for this study?

The study is being funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC).

How to find out more

Chloe Chessell

chloe.chessell@psych.ox.ac.uk - Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.