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DBS for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

This study is looking at a treatment called Reclaim™ DBS Therapy (Deep Brain Stimulation) for adults with severe Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). DBS involves placing a small device in the brain to help control symptoms. You might be able to join if you've had OCD for at least 5 years, it's severe, and other treatments like at least three different SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, a type of antidepressant) and clomipramine haven't worked. You also need to have tried Exposure and Response Prevention (a type of therapy). The study will measure how well DBS reduces OCD symptoms using a scale called the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) after one year. The current status of this study is unclear.

Study design
This is an interventional study, meaning participants will receive a treatment. The planned enrollment is 50 people.
What's involved
A neurosurgeon will implant the DBS lead in your brain, connected to a neurostimulator under your skin. You will be assessed for a decrease in obsessive compulsive symptoms at 1 year.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your OCD symptoms will be assessed at 1 year after the procedure.

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NCT02773082

DBS for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Recruiting
NAAges 18+InterventionalTreatment
Northwell Health
~50 participants
Updated 2025-10-29 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Reclaim™ DBS Therapy

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Efficacy as indicated by a decrease in obsessive compulsive symptoms as assessed by the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS)
Measured over 1 year

Conditions

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Explore related trials

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
New York1

Study leadership

  • Albert J Fenoy, MD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Northwell Health

Who to contact

Samantha Gonzalez
[email protected]
7184704152
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Have a diagnosis of OCD with a documented duration of at least 5 years
Have OCD rated as severe or extreme illness
Have failed to improve following treatment with at least 3 selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and clomipramine
Do not have hoarding as their primary subclassification
Have completed or tried to complete Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy (ERP)
Have no serious psychiatric disorder in addition to OCD (e.g. comorbid personality disorder) or current substance abuse issues
Meet established criteria for implantation of a deep brain stimulation system
Are 18 years old or older
Have not had a previous surgery to destroy the region of the brain that will be the target of stimulation
Are not pregnant
Have no other neurological disorders, including dementia
Do not have a bleeding disorder or are not taking blood thinners
Are capable of giving informed consent

Exclusion

Patients who are unable to properly operate the neurostimulator
Patients who will be exposed to diathermy

What this trial measures

  • Efficacy as indicated by a decrease in obsessive compulsive symptoms as assessed by the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS)1 year

    The Y-BOCS scale is used to determine severity of OCD and to monitor improvement during treatment. This scale, which measures obsessions separately from compulsions, specifically measures the severity of symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder without being biased towards the type of content of obsessions or compulsions present. The Y-BOCS scale is a clinician-rated, 10-item scale, each item rated from 0 (no symptoms) to 4 (extreme symptoms), yielding a total possible score range from 0 to 40. The scale includes questions about the amount of time the patient spends on obsessions, how much impairment or distress they experience, and how much resistance and control they have over these thoughts. The same types of questions are asked about compulsions (e.g., time spent, interference, etc.) as well. The results can be interpreted based on the total score: 0-7 is sub-clinical; 8-15 is mild; 16-23 is moderate; 24-31 is severe; 32-40 is extreme.