A Randomized, Double-Blind Clinical Trial of Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation with Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating a treatment for adults with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) using a combination of exposure-based cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) with individualized stimulation frequencies. The study aims to assess the feasibility and clinical outcomes of this combined approach and to explore the underlying brain mechanisms using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and electroencephalography (EEG). This trial uses a randomized, double-blind design to compare active tACS combined with CBT versus sham tACS combined with CBT. Participants will receive a total of 10 therapy sessions over two months. The first and last sessions include only psychological therapy. The eight middle sessions combine exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy with concurrent tACS or sham tACS applied to the prefrontal cortex. Individualized stimulation frequencies are determined from EEG data, with electrodes placed around specific points on the scalp. The sham tACS mimics sensation but does not deliver ongoing stimulation. Throughout the study, patients will be evaluated at four time points using the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) to measure symptom severity. EEG assessments will be performed at each evaluation to monitor brain activity changes. MRI scans will be done at the start and end of treatment to investigate neural changes. This thorough monitoring aims to understand if combining tACS with CBT improves treatment outcomes and the mechanisms behind this effect. The total participation period lasts eight weeks.

Efficacy and Mechanism of Augmentation of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy With Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation(tACS) for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)