CompletedNot Applicable

Improving Attentional and Cognitive Control in the Psychological Treatment of Intrusive Thoughts

United States65 participantsStarted 2021-04-30

Plain-language summary

The investigators are conducting this study to learn more about the cognitive and attentional processes among individuals with three types of repetitive negative thinking (RNT): mental rituals (as seen in obsessive compulsive disorder, OCD), worries (as seen in generalized anxiety disorder, GAD), and ruminations (as seen in major depressive disorder, MDD). Specifically, the investigators are studying whether psychological treatment can help people with RNT who have trouble stopping unwanted thoughts and shifting their attention.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 60 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Adults ages 18-60 years old * Right-handed * Living in Massachusetts * Repetitive Negative Thinking (RNT) in the form of mental rituals, worries, and/or depressive ruminations is the primary reason for seeking treatment * RNT significant enough to warrant intervention * Fluent in English, willing to provide informed consent, and willing to comply with the study protocol * Access to a device with an internet connection, camera, and microphone (e.g., computer, smart phone, tablet) * Comfortable and capable of using a computer and completing reaction-time tasks Exclusion Criteria: * History of head injury or neurologic disease, mental retardation, or borderline intellectual functioning that would interfere with ability to participate in the study. * Impaired (or uncorrected) vision, medical illness, or medical treatment that would interfere with participation. * Active suicidal or homicidal ideation or any features requiring a higher level of care. * Lifetime psychotic disorder or bipolar disorder * Substance or alcohol use disorder that would interfere with treatment. * Current Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) that would interfere with attentional tasks. * Unstable dose of psychotropic medications or recent discontinuation of psychotropic medication. * Current psychotherapy or plans to initiate such treatment during the study. * Previous course of treatment with cognitive behavioral therapy and/or mindfulness/meditation for obsessive comp…

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Transdiagnostic Repetitive Negative Thinking (Measured by the Perseverative Thinking Questionnaire [PTQ]) Assessed in Phase I (Pilot Trial) and Group Differences Compared at 8 Weeks in Phase 2 Randomized Controlled Trial

Timeframe: Week 0 (baseline), week 4 (mid-treatment), week 8 (post-treatment), and week 20 (3-month follow-up)

Trial details

NCT IDNCT04225624

SponsorMassachusetts General Hospital

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2025-01-22

Results submitted2026-01-22

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder trials