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Cognitive Control Targets for the Treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in Young Children

Who can join

Ages 8 to 12 · All sexes

Inclusion Criteria:

* Ages between 8 and 12 years;
* Clinically significant OCD as the principal problem. This is defined as follows: they must meet DSM-V criteria for OCD as assessed with the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children Present and Lifetime Version (K-SADS-PL). OCD must be the primary source of interference and distress (based on clinical evaluation with K- SADS-PL and Children's Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (C-YBOCS) and they must have clinically significant symptoms (i.e., C-YBOCS) ≥ 16;
* Not on psychotropic medication (either treatment-naïve or free of psychotropic medication for at least three months) and not receiving current psychotherapy for OCD;
* Ability to tolerate a treatment-free period (i.e., no treatment other than study CBT);
* Capacity to provide informed assent

Exclusion Criteria:

* Current or past diagnosis of major depressive disorder, PTSD, substance/alcohol abuse, psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, eating disorder, pervasive developmental disorder, substance/alcohol dependence, or any other Axis I disorder not listed above;
* Active suicidal ideation;
* Females who are pregnant or nursing;
* Any major medical or neurological problem (e.g., unstable hypertension, seizure disorder, head trauma); -Positive urine screen for illicit drugs;
* Presence of metallic device or dental braces;
* IQ \<80;

About the study

This study aims to examine the effects of a game-like program called cognitive control training (CT) for children with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Children enrolled in this study will receive 4 weeks of the at-home computerized cognitive training program (AKL-T01) delivered on iPad (25 minutes/day, 5 days/week). Styled as a child-friendly video game, AKL-T01 CT taps focused attention, response inhibition, and working memory using a series of games to engage cognitive control processes. Children will complete the NIH Toolbox prior to, mid (2-weeks), and post-CT (4-weeks). Participants will complete MRI scans pre- and post-CT and then be offered a 12-week course of gold-standard Cognitive behavioral therapy with exposure and response prevention (or community referrals) after CT. The long-term goal of this study is to test how this CT intervention may enhance cognitive control capacity to reduce symptoms and improve response to cognitive behavioral therapy with exposure and response prevention in children with OCD.

What is being tested

• Cognitive Control Training (CT) (device)

Sponsor: Columbia University · Participants: 60 · Started: Jun 27, 2024

Contact the study team

• Marsh Lab · Phone: 646-774-5868

Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT06102941

Locations in the U.S.

From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Oct 1, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.