Actively Recruiting
Precision Medicine for OCD - Biobehavioral Tracking of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) With Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for Refractory OCD
Led by Adam Frank · Updated on 2025-10-27
48
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
8 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are evaluating how adults with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) respond to repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) combined with psychotherapy. The study compares two types of therapy given with rTMS: Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) Therapy and supportive therapy (ST). The goal is to understand treatment effects and predict responses using biobehavioral data collected from wearable devices and smartphones, along with brain imaging. Participants will receive rTMS targeted to specific brain areas five days a week for six weeks. Alongside rTMS, they will attend either ERP or supportive therapy sessions twice weekly, conducted virtually during rTMS treatments. The study includes baseline assessments, brain scans, and continuous collection of behavioral and physiological data using a Fitbit device and daily self-reports via smartphone. The study lasts 16 weeks, beginning with initial assessments and brain imaging. During weeks 2 to 7, participants undergo treatment with rTMS and therapy while weekly OCD symptom assessments are conducted. After treatment, brain imaging and final evaluations occur at week 8. Participants then stop data collection and complete a follow-up assessment at week 16 to evaluate longer-term outcomes. The main outcome measured is change in OCD symptoms using the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (YBOCS).
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and Psychotherapy for Treating Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Diagnosis of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) based on DSM-5 criteria
- Live in Southern California and willing to attend in-person rTMS treatments 5 times per week for 6 weeks
- Completed at least ten sessions of Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy
- Currently take or have previously tried Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SRI) medication for OCD
- Willing to maintain psychotropic medication levels during the 16-week study period
You will not qualify if you...
- Primary psychiatric diagnosis other than OCD
- Active substance use disorder
- Active suicidality
- Active psychosis
- History of seizures
- Severe neurological impairment
- Pregnant or planning pregnancy
- Received prior rTMS treatment
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 1 week
Participants complete baseline assessments including questionnaires about symptoms, functioning, quality of life, and treatment priorities. They also undergo a brain scan and receive a Fitbit device to wear throughout the study, with guidance on completing daily self-report check-ins using their smartphone.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 6 weeks
Participants receive repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) targeted to a specific brain area five days per week for six weeks. Concurrently, participants attend either Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy or Supportive Therapy (ST) twice per week during rTMS sessions. Weekly assessments of OCD symptom severity are conducted throughout this phase.
5 visits per week for rTMS and 2 therapy sessions per week during rTMS
Duration - 1 week
After completing treatment, participants repeat the brain scan and complete final symptom and functioning assessments. Fitbit data collection and daily surveys end at this time.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 1 day
Participants complete a follow-up assessment to evaluate longer-term outcomes two months after treatment ends.
1 visit (in-person)
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
University of Southern California Health Sciences Campus
Los Angeles, California, United States, 90033
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
U
USC Frank OCD Lab
E
Emma Garland, BA
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
DOUBLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
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