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Mechanisms of Exposure Therapy for OCD
NCT06173752 · View on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
Study Summary
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.
Conditions Studied
Interventions
- BEHAVIORAL Exposure therapy
Study Locations (2)
California
- Center for Understanding and Treating Anxiety — San Diego
Massachusetts
- McLean OCDI — Belmont
Trial Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Enrollment Target | 400 participants |
| Start Date | 2024-10-16 |
| Est. Completion | 2029-04 |
| Phase | NA |
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Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗What the Registry Record Tells You About NCT06173752
The ClinicalTrials.gov registry entry for NCT06173752 describes a study currently listed as recruiting. It is categorized as NA, which is the standard way researchers label where a study sits along the investigational pathway from early safety work through later efficacy and post-marketing evaluation. The registered enrollment target is 400 participants, a figure that helps gauge the scale of data the investigators plan to collect. The listed sponsor is Mclean Hospital, which has 160 total studies on file at ClinicalTrials.gov, and sponsors are the parties responsible for study design, oversight, and regulatory filings.
The record links to 1 condition, with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder appearing as the primary indexed condition, and to 1 intervention — of which Exposure therapy is the first listed. Interventions can include drugs, devices, procedures, behavioral programs, or observational arms, and each is tracked as a separate registry field so that downstream queries can filter accurately. When a trial lists multiple interventions, it usually reflects a multi-arm design or a comparison protocol rather than a single treatment being tested in isolation. The brief summary published in the registry is the clearest source of protocol intent and should be read before drawing conclusions from any sidebar tags.
Geographic footprint matters for practical reasons: NCT06173752 reports 2 study locations spanning 2 distinct geographic areas — top geographies include California, Massachusetts. A larger site network tends to correlate with broader recruitment capacity, but it does not imply anything about study quality, and site-level enrollment status can diverge from the overall registry status shown above. Every data point on this page comes from the public ClinicalTrials.gov dataset and is reproduced here for reference only; it is not a medical recommendation, an endorsement of the sponsor, or an invitation to enroll. Verify current status, eligibility criteria, and contact details directly at ClinicalTrials.gov, and discuss any participation decision with your own healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is clinical trial NCT06173752 about?
NCT06173752 is a clinical study titled "Mechanisms of Exposure Therapy for OCD". 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 ...
What is the current status of trial NCT06173752?
This trial is currently recruiting. It is a NA study. The enrollment target is 400 participants. The study started on 2024-10-16. Estimated completion is 2029-04.
What conditions does trial NCT06173752 study?
This clinical trial studies the following conditions: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. These conditions were identified from the trial registry and reflect the primary focus areas of the research.
What interventions are being tested in trial NCT06173752?
The interventions under investigation include: Exposure therapy (BEHAVIORAL). Each intervention is being evaluated for safety and efficacy as part of this clinical study.
Who is sponsoring clinical trial NCT06173752?
This trial is sponsored by Mclean Hospital, which has 160 total clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. The sponsor is responsible for the study's design, funding, and regulatory compliance.
Where is trial NCT06173752 being conducted?
This trial has 2 study locations across California, Massachusetts. Contact the study sites directly through ClinicalTrials.gov for enrollment availability.
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