MedTrace Logo

Methods for Managing Intrusive Thoughts

NCT03416504 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 40

Last updated 2018-01-31

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

The current study sought to translate laboratory research on learning and memory to better understand the mechanisms and methods for implementing exposure therapy for unwanted obsessional thoughts. Specifically, we compared the processes and the short- and long-term outcomes of: (a) gradual exposure (EXP-G), emphasizing hierarchical exposure completion, versus (b) variable exposure (EXP-V), emphasizing variability in exposure intensity.

Conditions

  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Gradual Exposure (EXP-G)

In EXP-G, exposure proceeded hierarchically from mildly, to moderately, to highly intense stimuli so that exposure intensity gradually built between (but not within) sessions.

BEHAVIORAL

Variable Exposure (EXP-V)

In EXP-V, exposure stimuli were chosen at random (i.e., pieces of paper with exposure stimuli written on them were pulled randomly from an opaque container) so that mild, moderate, and high intensity exposures could occur in any order during any of the sessions (the participant was not informed which level was coming next). This aimed to maximize (a) uncertainty, (b) variability in exposure intensity, and (c) variability in corresponding physiological arousal.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT)

    collaborator UNKNOWN

  • American Psychological Association (APA)

    collaborator OTHER

  • University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Jonathan S Abramowitz, PhD · University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2015-09-22
Primary Completion
2016-10-04
Completion
2016-10-04

Countries

  • United States

Study Locations

More Related Trials

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT03416504 on ClinicalTrials.gov