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Mechanisms of Exposure Therapy for OCD

Leveraging Machine Learning Approaches to Understand Mechanisms of Exposure Therapy in Real-World Settings

Who can join

Ages 18 to 65 · All sexes

Inclusion Criteria:

* Between the ages of 18-65 years old
* Seeking exposure treatment at McLean Hospital OCD Institute or San Diego State University
* Have a diagnosis of OCD
* Able to complete study measures and treatment procedures in English

Exclusion Criteria:

* Acute symptoms of psychosis
* Active suicidality (plan, means, intent and/or suicide attempt in past 3 months)
* Presence of co-occurring symptoms that warrant higher level of care (e.g., inpatient treatment)
* Presence of any medical, psychiatric, or developmental condition that would prevent patients from completing assessments or exposure exercises (e.g., non-verbal autism spectrum disorder)

About the study

Exposure therapy is the most effective treatment available for obsessive compulsive disorder, yet up to 50% of patients do not recover because the mechanisms underlying successful response are poorly understood, leading to significant variability in how clinicians conduct exposure therapy. The main purpose of this study is to determine which target mechanisms are most critical to engage in real-world exposure sessions to produce good treatment outcomes. Adult participants (N = 400) with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) receiving exposure therapy from two sites (McLean Hospital, San Diego State University) across the continuum of care (outpatient, partial hospital, residential) will complete baseline clinical and demographic measures as well as weekly symptom reports. The project will measure exposure mechanisms across three levels of analysis (self-report, observer-rated behavior, physiology) during each exposure session. Mechanisms assessed will include a broad range of variables based on both habituation and inhibitory learning models of exposure. Self-report and observer-rated mechanisms will be measured with the Exposure Feedback Form, created and piloted by the study team. Physiological mechanisms will include skin conductance response, heart rate, and heart rate variability measured with a wristwatch. The current study will determine (1) which exposure mechanisms lead to favorable clinical outcomes, and (2) what makes a good exposure for whom. Results of this study have the potential to improve personalized care for the many patients who do not remit following exposure therapy for OCD.

What is being tested

• Exposure therapy (behavioral)

Sponsor: Mclean Hospital · Participants: 400 · Started: Oct 16, 2024

Contact the study team

• Jennie M Kuckertz, PhD · Phone: 617-855-2962

Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT06173752

Locations in the U.S.

Conditions

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Oct 2, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.