Cognitive Control Targets for the Treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in Young Children

Description

This study aims to examine the effects of a game-like program called cognitive control training (CT) for children with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Children enrolled in this study will receive 4 weeks of the at-home computerized cognitive training program (AKL-T01) delivered on iPad (25 minutes/day, 5 days/week). Styled as a child-friendly video game, AKL-T01 CT taps focused attention, response inhibition, and working memory using a series of games to engage cognitive control processes. Children will complete the NIH Toolbox prior to, mid (2-weeks), and post-CT (4-weeks). Participants will complete MRI scans pre- and post-CT and then be offered a 12-week course of gold-standard Cognitive behavioral therapy with exposure and response prevention (or community referrals) after CT. The long-term goal of this study is to test how this CT intervention may enhance cognitive control capacity to reduce symptoms and improve response to cognitive behavioral therapy with exposure and response prevention in children with OCD.

Conditions

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in Children

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Study Overview

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Study Details

Study overview

This study aims to examine the effects of a game-like program called cognitive control training (CT) for children with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Children enrolled in this study will receive 4 weeks of the at-home computerized cognitive training program (AKL-T01) delivered on iPad (25 minutes/day, 5 days/week). Styled as a child-friendly video game, AKL-T01 CT taps focused attention, response inhibition, and working memory using a series of games to engage cognitive control processes. Children will complete the NIH Toolbox prior to, mid (2-weeks), and post-CT (4-weeks). Participants will complete MRI scans pre- and post-CT and then be offered a 12-week course of gold-standard Cognitive behavioral therapy with exposure and response prevention (or community referrals) after CT. The long-term goal of this study is to test how this CT intervention may enhance cognitive control capacity to reduce symptoms and improve response to cognitive behavioral therapy with exposure and response prevention in children with OCD.

Cognitive Control Targets for the Treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in Young Children

Cognitive Control Targets for the Treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in Young Children

Condition
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in Children
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

New York

Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, United States, 10032

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * Ages between 8 and 12 years;
  • * Clinically significant OCD as the principal problem. This is defined as follows: they must meet DSM-V criteria for OCD as assessed with the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children Present and Lifetime Version (K-SADS-PL). OCD must be the primary source of interference and distress (based on clinical evaluation with K- SADS-PL and Children's Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (C-YBOCS) and they must have clinically significant symptoms (i.e., C-YBOCS) ≥ 16;
  • * Not on psychotropic medication (either treatment-naïve or free of psychotropic medication for at least three months) and not receiving current psychotherapy for OCD;
  • * Ability to tolerate a treatment-free period (i.e., no treatment other than study CBT);
  • * Capacity to provide informed assent
  • * Current or past diagnosis of major depressive disorder, PTSD, substance/alcohol abuse, psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, eating disorder, pervasive developmental disorder, substance/alcohol dependence, or any other Axis I disorder not listed above;
  • * Active suicidal ideation;
  • * Females who are pregnant or nursing;
  • * Any major medical or neurological problem (e.g., unstable hypertension, seizure disorder, head trauma); -Positive urine screen for illicit drugs;
  • * Presence of metallic device or dental braces;
  • * IQ \<80;

Ages Eligible for Study

8 Years to 12 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

Columbia University,

Study Record Dates

2025-11