What is the study about?
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a debilitating condition, which impacts a persons functioning significantly. The most well researched treatments with evidence are pharmacological interventions (SSRIs) and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), involving exposure and response prevention. However, there are several challenges to receiving face to face CBT, such as finding the right therapist, making time and so on.
In the recent years there have several technology based mental health interventions, including for OCD. However there is a need to gather more information regarding the feasibility and acceptability these of apps for OCD. This study is aimed at examining the feasibility and acceptability of a mobile based app for OCD, which is designed to be used along with therapist guidance.
Who can take part?
You can be a part of this study if:
- You have been diagnosed to have OCD, with a score on YBOCS of 16-23 (this will be assessed by the doctor or researcher)
- You are aged between 18-50 years
- You have a good understanding of your conditions which will be assessed by your researcher or doctor
- You have a smart phone (Android OS), with mobile data
- You can read and write English
- If you are taking medication it is not changed since 1 month
What are reasons I may not be able to participate in this study?
X If you have any major psychiatric disorders, other than OCD
X Your scores on the YBOCS are greater than 23.
X You have significant concerns with respect to your mood or have been feeling hopeless
X You have already received face to face therapy for OCD in the last six months
What does participation involve?
If you are eligible to take part in this study and agree to take part, the researcher will meet you face to face to carry out some assessment and then register you to use the mobile application that is being tested. The researcher will also explain what OCD and its treatment Exposure and Response prevention include.
As part of this study, you are required to log in start using the app, which includes reading resource materials on the app, add your list of obsessions and compulsions, and rate the distress and start doing the exposure and response prevention (such as reducing the number of times you wash you hands or check the door to see its locked or perform similar rituals to reduce your anxiety).
The researcher will be able to send you messages on the app and you can also do the same.
After about 3-4 weeks the researcher will meet you again to see how you are doing
After which you will continue working on the targets using the app.
The final assessment will include all the assessment again, which will be face to face.
What do I do if I don’t see improvement?
Your therapist will assess you on the scales at the start of this study, in the middle and at the end of 2 months. In case at the time of the last assessment you have still not found significant improvement, your therapist will recommend you for face to face sessions and will guide you.
Whom should I contact if I want to take part in this study?
This study is being carried out by a team of clinicians from the Department of Clinical Psychology and the OCD Clinic, Department of Psychiatry, NIMHANS, Bangalore
For further details, you can contact:
Paulomi M. Sudhir,PhD
Professor, Department of Clinical Psychology, NIMHANS Bangalore
Email: paulomi.sudhir@gmail.com
Tel: 9448083521
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