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Methods for Managing Intrusive Thoughts

University of North Carolina (UNC) logo

University of North Carolina (UNC)

Status

Completed

Conditions

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Treatments

Behavioral: Variable Exposure (EXP-V)
Behavioral: Gradual Exposure (EXP-G)

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

Identifiers

NCT03416504
14-3310
5101599 (Other Identifier)
5103050 (Other Identifier)

Details and patient eligibility

About

The current study sought to translate laboratory research on learning and memory to better understand the mechanisms and methods for implementing exposure therapy for unwanted obsessional thoughts. Specifically, we compared the processes and the short- and long-term outcomes of: (a) gradual exposure (EXP-G), emphasizing hierarchical exposure completion, versus (b) variable exposure (EXP-V), emphasizing variability in exposure intensity.

Full description

Although preliminary research suggests that learning to tolerate varying levels of fear during exposure enhances outcomes for some anxiety-related problems, no previous study has examined this possibility in the context of unwanted obsessions. Adults with a moderately distressing obsessional thought were randomly assigned to four twice-weekly sessions of either: (a) gradual exposure (EXP-G), emphasizing hierarchical exposure completion, or (b) variable exposure (EXP-V), emphasizing variability in exposure intensity.

Enrollment

40 patients

Sex

All

Ages

18+ years old

Volunteers

No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

  • At least 18 years old
  • Willing to attend and audiotape all study sessions
  • Fluent in English
  • Presence of one or more obsessional thoughts that cause marked distress
  • If on a psychiatric medication (e.g., SSRI), willing to remain at a fixed dose while participating in the study (and stabilized on medication for 30 days before beginning the intervention).

Exclusion criteria

  • Previous cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for anxiety
  • Current suicidal ideation
  • Current substance use disorder
  • Current mania or psychosis
  • Currently taking an anxiolytic (e.g., Ativan) or stimulant (e.g., Ritalin) medication
  • Heart, respiratory, or neurological condition
  • Current pregnancy

Trial design

Primary purpose

Treatment

Allocation

Randomized

Interventional model

Parallel Assignment

Masking

Single Blind

40 participants in 2 patient groups

Gradual Exposure Group
Experimental group
Description:
The gradual exposure group received the Gradual Exposure (EXP-G) Intervention.
Treatment:
Behavioral: Gradual Exposure (EXP-G)
Variable Exposure Group
Experimental group
Description:
The variable exposure group received the Variable Exposure (EXP-V) Intervention.
Treatment:
Behavioral: Variable Exposure (EXP-V)

Trial contacts and locations

1

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Data sourced from clinicaltrials.gov

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