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Exercise and OCD Symptoms Study

This study is looking at how different levels of exercise affect adults with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Researchers want to see if moderate-intensity exercise, like cycling at about 70% of your maximum heart rate, can reduce distress, urges, and intrusive thoughts, and improve your cognitive flexibility (how easily you can switch between tasks or thoughts) compared to low-intensity exercise. You would participate in either moderate-intensity cycling or low-intensity cycling. The study aims to enroll 50 participants. To join, you need to be an adult between 18 and 64 years old with an OCD diagnosis. Your current psychiatric or medication treatment needs to be stable for at least four weeks, or you shouldn't be on active treatment. The study is currently unclear on its recruitment status.

Study design
This interventional study will randomize 50 adults with OCD into either a moderate-intensity or low-intensity exercise group. Participants will be unaware of which exercise intensity group they are in.
What's involved
You will have a phone screen and two in-person visits, with some self-report surveys to complete between visits. The second visit will be 7-10 days after the first.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your cognitive flexibility and symptom reactivity will be measured again 7-10 days after the exercise intervention during your second session.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT07103902

Aerobic Exercise and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Symptoms

Recruiting
NAAges 18–64InterventionalBasic science
Yale University
~50 participants
Updated 2026-07-02 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Moderate-Intensity ExerciseLow-Intensity Exercise

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Cognitive flexibility will be assessed using a probabilistic reversal learning (PRL) task called the Lucky Picture Selection Game.
Measured over Cognitive flexibility will be initially measured on day 1. Follow-up administrations will be completed 7-10 days later after the exercise intervention during session 2.
+2 more outcomes measured

Conditions

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Explore related trials

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
Connecticut1

Who to contact

Emily Weiss, PhD
[email protected]
203-858-1225
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Adults, age 18 to 64 years
Meet diagnostic criteria for OCD (per the DIAMOND)
Stable psychiatric or medication treatment (if ≥4-weeks), or if no active treatment. Psychotropic medications will be reviewed with the study psychiatrist on a case by case basis.

Exclusion

Active or unmanaged psychotic disorders, pervasive developmental disorders, bipolar disorder, current substance use disorder (moderate-to-severe), or high risk for suicide (defined as attempt, plan, or intent within past 3 months)
Documented motor impairments and medical condition(s) that prohibit physical exercise
Those who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant

What this trial measures

  • Cognitive flexibility will be assessed using a probabilistic reversal learning (PRL) task called the Lucky Picture Selection Game.Cognitive flexibility will be initially measured on day 1. Follow-up administrations will be completed 7-10 days later after the exercise intervention during session 2.
  • Symptom reactivity will be assessed using the Braga Obsessive Compulsive Symptom Image Set (BOCI).Symptom reactivity will be initially measured on day 1. Follow-up administrations will be completed 7-10 days later after the exercise intervention during session 2.
  • Exercise intensity will be measured using a PolarTech chest-strap HR monitor.Exercise intensity will be measured during 7-10 days after baseline, during session 2.

    Exercise intensity will be measured as a function of maximum heart rate (70% Max HR for moderate intensity condition and 40-50% max heart rate for low intensity condition).