N/A
N=62
Improving Attentional and Cognitive Control in the Psychological Treatment of Intrusive Thoughts
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder · Generalized Anxiety Disorder · Major Depressive Disorder
Bottom Line
View on ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04225624 ↗Enrolled (actual)
62
Serious AEs
0.0%
Results posted
Mar 2026
Primary outcome: Primary: 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 — 45.67; 45.29; 45.94; 31.33 score on a scale (by group) — p=0.065
Study Design & Population
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- N/A
- Interventions
- Emotion Regulation Therapy - Attention Regulation (AR-ERT) (Behavioral); Supportive Psychotherapy (SPT) (Behavioral)
- Age
- Adult · 18+ yrs
- Sex
- All
- Sponsor
- Massachusetts General Hospital
- Primary completion
- Jan 2025
Outcome Measures
| Outcome | Result | p-value |
|---|---|---|
| PRIMARY 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 |
45.67; 45.29; 45.94; 31.33; 34.85; 36.64 | 0.065 |
| SECONDARY Worry (Measured by the Penn State Worry Questionnaire [PSWQ]) Assessed in Phase I (Pilot Trial) and Group Differences Compared at 8 Weeks in Phase 2 Randomized Controlled Trial |
62.33; 67.83; 67.17; 58.00; 63.35; 63.81 | 0.260 |
| SECONDARY Rumination (Measured by the Rumination Response Scale [RRS]) Assessed in Phase I (Pilot Trial) and Group Differences Compared at 8 Weeks in Phase 2 Randomized Controlled Trial |
58.33; 60.63; 61.55; 54.67; 54.54; 54.19 | 0.777 |
| SECONDARY Mental Rituals (Measured by the Rumination on Obsessions and Compulsions Scale [ROCS] - Mental Neutralizing Subscale) Assessed in Phase I (Pilot Trial) and Group Differences Compared at 8 Weeks in Phase 2 Randomized Controlled Trial |
2.65; 2.05; 1.97; 2.04; 1.76; 1.88 | 0.261 |
| SECONDARY OCD Symptom Severity (Measured by the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale [Y-BOCS]) Assessed in Phase I (Pilot Trial) and Group Differences Compared at 8 Weeks in Phase 2 Randomized Controlled Trial |
20.33; 23.81; 22.84; 18.67; 21.42; 19.25 | 0.440 |
| SECONDARY Generalized Anxiety Symptom Severity (Measured by the Structured Interview Guide for the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale [SIGH-A]) Assessed in Phase I (Pilot Trial) and Group Differences Compared at 8 Weeks in Phase 2 Randomized Controlled Trial |
20.67; 22.84; 22.71; 17.00; 18.00; 15.86 | 0.769 |
| SECONDARY Depression Symptom Severity (Measured by the Structured Interview Guide for the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale [SIGH-D]) Assessed in Phase I (Pilot Trial) and Group Differences Compared at 8 Weeks in Phase 2 Randomized Controlled Trial |
14.33; 18.61; 18.48; 13.33; 15.15; 13.39 | 0.601 |
| SECONDARY Functional Impairment (Measured by the Work and Social Adjustment Scale [WSAS]) Assessed in Phase I (Pilot Trial) and Group Differences Compared at 8 Weeks in Phase 2 Randomized Controlled Trial |
22.67; 24.68; 24.45; 16.33; 15.77; 17.33 | 0.169 |
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.
Eligibility Criteria
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 compulsive disorder (OCD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), or depression.
Data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04225624). Outcome figures and adverse-event rates are extracted automatically from the registry's posted results and are provided for clinician reference, not as a substitute for the primary publication.