What is this study trying to find out about obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)?

This study is evaluating whether a brief form of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be delivered effectively and accepted by young people with OCD in routine NHS services. It aims to see if this approach improves OCD symptoms, including for those with autism traits. The University of Oxford is leading the research to understand if this treatment can work well in everyday clinical practice.

Who may be eligible for this obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) clinical trial?

Young people aged 11 to 18 years with a primary diagnosis of OCD may be eligible. Participants should be able to read and understand English, willing to engage in treatment, and have a stable medication dose if taking any. This study is open to all genders. Please review eligibility criteria for more details.

Is there any cost to participate in this obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) clinical trial?

Study-related care, including the therapy sessions and all trial visits, is provided at no cost. Personal travel expenses and other related costs may vary and are not guaranteed to be covered. Participants should be prepared for potential travel and time commitments.

Actively Recruiting

Phase Not Applicable

Age: 11Years - 18Years

All Genders

ID06983301

Feasibility Study of Brief Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for OCD in Adolescents Aged 11 to 18 in NHS Clinical Services

Led by University of Oxford · Updated on 2025-05-21

Participants Needed

Research Sites

N/A

Total Duration

AI-Summary

What this Trial Is About

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder OCD is a common and often disabling condition in young people, marked by distressing and repetitive thoughts and behaviors. This research aims to explore the delivery of a brief cognitive behavioral therapy CBT for adolescents aged 11 to 18 years with OCD within routine NHS child and adolescent mental health services CAMHS. The study focuses on whether this brief CBT approach is feasible, acceptable, and effective, including for young people with co-occurring autism or high autistic traits. The intervention involves five core face-to-face CBT sessions lasting 60 to 90 minutes each, with an option for two additional booster sessions over 24 weeks. These sessions are delivered by trained clinicians in NHS settings and supported by co-designed workbooks completed by the young person between sessions. Parents or carers also receive a workbook to support the young persons progress. Sessions start weekly and become less frequent over time, focusing on understanding OCD, goal setting, cognitive flexibility, and behavioral experiments. Involvement of parents and other adults is encouraged to help apply learning in daily life. Participants will engage in assessments at baseline, post-treatment 12 weeks, and 3-month follow-up 24 weeks, including interviews, questionnaires, and routine clinical measures of OCD symptoms, anxiety, and depression. Clinician adherence and treatment acceptability will be monitored through session attendance, engagement, and feedback from young people, parentscarers, and clinicians. Qualitative interviews will assess experiences, and data will be analyzed to explore changes in symptoms and treatment processes, including for those with autism. The study runs from May 2025 to March 2026 with 20 to 30 young people and 8 to 10 clinicians involved.

CONDITIONS

Brief Title

Brief Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for Adolescent OCD in Routine Clinical Practice

Who Can Participate

Age: 11Years - 18Years

All Genders

Eligibility Criteria

You may qualify if you...

Young people aged 11 to 18 years at recruitment
Diagnosed with OCD as the primary problem using the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule (ADIS)
Willing and able to give informed assent (if aged 11-15) or consent (if aged 16-18)
Stable dose of pharmacotherapy for OCD for at least 6 weeks before trial entry (if applicable)
Able to speak and read English sufficiently to use the workbooks and complete exercises
Willing to engage in treatment and comply with trial requirements
Willing to allow notification of their General Practitioner and consultant about participation
Parents/carers able and willing to provide consent and participate
Clinicians must have relevant psychological therapy qualifications including CBT training and approval to participate

You will not qualify if you...

Risk or safeguarding concerns that cannot be safely managed within the service
Any other significant disease or disorder that may pose risk or affect participation or trial results
Learning difficulties that would prevent participation in cognitive therapy components
Currently receiving psychological treatment for OCD
No exclusion criteria for parents/carers or clinicians

Research Team

Polly Waite

Lucas Shelemy

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Feasibility Study of Brief Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for OCD in Adolescents Aged 11 to 18 in NHS Clinical Services

On this page

AI-Summary

What this Trial Is About

Brief Title

Who Can Participate

Eligibility Criteria

Research Team

Not the Right Trial for You?

On this page

Who Can Participate

Eligibility Criteria