The aim of this study is to train patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder to control a region of their brain that has been associated with their symptoms. Patients in the experimental group will be given direct feedback regarding activity in this brain area while they are undergoing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanning, and will try to learn to control activity in the region during these feedback sessions. A separate group of patients will be given a control form of feedback that we do not believe can have clinical benefits. Our primary hypothesis is that the neurofeedback training will reduce OCD symptoms more than the control feedback.
Original study design recruiting controls who were matched to the experimental group was changed to a randomized design prior to enrollment of the first participant.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
44
Subject provided with feedback of activity in target brain area in the form of a line graph. Cued to try to make the line go up at certain times and down at other times.
Subject provided with a control/placebo type of feedback in the form of a line graph. Cued to try to make the line go up at certain times and down at other times.
Yale University School of Medicine
New Haven, Connecticut, United States
A modified version of the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Symptom scale (Y-BOCS) will be used, that queries subjects regarding symptoms
Time frame: Immediately before intervention
A modified version of the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Symptom scale (Y-BOCS) will be used, that queries subjects regarding symptoms
Time frame: Approximately 4 days post-intervention
Control over target brain area
Control task scans will be conducted in which subjects are cued to at times to increase activity in their target brain area and at other times to decrease activity in their target brain area. During both conditions they will be presented with symptom provoking images. The percent signal change in the BOLD signal in the target area during increase relative to decrease blocks will be used as the measure of control over the brain area.
Time frame: Approximately 4 days pre-intervention
Control over the target brain area.
Control task scans will be conducted in which subjects are cued to at times to increase activity in their target brain area and at other times to decrease activity in their target brain area. During both conditions they will be presented with symptom provoking images. The percent signal change in the BOLD signal in the target area during increase relative to decrease blocks will be used as the measure of control over the brain area.
Time frame: Approximately 4 days post-intervention
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