Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)NCT06647589
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Religious OCD
A study testing Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in people with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), run by University of Alabama at Birmingham at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
The purpose of the study is to examine the effects and feasibility of a specific form of psychotherapy, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), on religiously oriented obsessive and compulsive disorder (OCD). Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- What is being tested?
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 10 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 30 Jul 2025to 1 Mar 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- 18 years old
- Meet cutoff scores for scrupulosity
Who cannot join
- Presence of psychotic symptoms within six months of screening
- Current suicidal/homicidal plan/intent and/or a suicide/homicide attempt within 6 months of screening
- Non-suicidal self-injury within 6 months of screening
- Narcotics use within 3 months of screening
- Purging/restricting behavior within 3 months of screening.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
United States1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, Alabama, 35233
David Johnson, MA, (205) 547-9502, dajohns4@uab.edu
Nicholas Borgogna, PhD, borgogna@uab.edu
About this study
Official title: Efficacy of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Religiously Oriented Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
The purpose of the study is to examine the effects and feasibility of a specific form of psychotherapy, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), on religiously oriented obsessive and compulsive disorder (OCD).
- Conditions
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Being tested
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- Keywords
- scrupulosity, religion, acceptance and commitment therapy, obsessive-compulsive disorder, OCD
- Medical subject headings
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Acceptance and Commitment TherapyBehavioural
participants will then receive ACT-based individual therapy weekly for twelve weeks.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance and Commitment Therapy | Experimental | Participants will receive twelve consecutive weeks of acceptance and commitment therapy Receives: Behavioral: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Scrupulosity Obsessions and Compulsions Scale
The Scrupulosity Obsessions and Compulsions Scale (SOCS) is a 10-item scale that asks participants how often they experience religious OCD obsessions and compulsions. The questions are asked on a scale ranging from 0 (Very Rarely) to 5 (Very Often).
Measured: At baseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and post-intervention (12 weeks)
Experiential Avoidance Rating Scale
The Experiential Avoidance Rating Scale (EARS) is a 6-item scale that asks participants how true statements about avoiding experiences are for them. The questions are asked on a scale ranging from 1 (Never True) to 5 (Very Often True).
Measured: At baseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and post-intervention (12 weeks)
Secondary outcomes (9)
Centrality of Religiosity Scale - Interreligious 20
The Centrality of Religiosity Scale - Interreligious 20 (CRSi-20) is a 20-item scale assessing religiosity across 5 dimensions (Intellect, Ideology, Public practice, Private practice, Experience). The questions are asked on scales ranging from Never to Several times a day, Never to Very often, and Not at all to Very much so.
Measured: Pre and post intervention which in general lasts 12 weeks
Yale-Brown Obsessive and Compulsive Scale - Self Report
The Yale-Brown Obsessive and Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) is a 12-item scale that asks participants whether they experience various OCD obsessions and compulsions. Participants are then asked how much time is spent on these obsessions and compulsions, whether they give in to the urge to perform compulsions, how strong the drive is to give in to compulsions, how they would feel if they were prevented from engaging in compulsions, and how much the compulsions and avoidance of compulsions interfere with their functioning.
Measured: Pre and post intervention which in general lasts 12 weeks
Patient Health Questionnaire - 9
The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) is a 9-item scale that asks participants how often they have been bothered by aspects of depressive symptoms. The questions are asked on a scale ranging from 0 (Not at all) to 5 (Nearly every day).
Measured: Pre and post intervention which in general lasts 12 weeks
Generalized Anxiety Disorder - 7
The Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) is a 7-item scale that asks participants how often they have been bothered by statements capturing aspects of anxiety. The questions are asked on a scale ranging from 0 (Not at all) to 3 (Nearly every day).
Measured: Pre and post intervention which in general lasts 12 weeks
The Intrinsic Spirituality Scale
The Intrinsic Spirituality Scale is a 6-item scale that asks participants about aspects of their spirituality.
Measured: Pre and post intervention which in general lasts 12 weeks
Psy-Flex
The Psyflex questionnaire is a 6-item scale that measures aspects of psychological flexibility. The questions are asked on a scale ranging from very seldom to often.
Measured: Pre and post intervention which in general lasts 12 weeks
Almost Perfect Scale - Revised
The Almost Perfect Scale - Revised is a 23-item scale that asks participants their agreement on items capturing perfectionism. The questions are asked on a scale ranging from 1 (Strongly disagree) to 7 (Strongly agree).
Measured: Pre and post intervention which in general lasts 12 weeks
The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test
The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) is a 10-item scale that asks participants about their alcohol consumption.
Measured: Pre and post intervention which in general lasts 12 weeks
National Institute on Drug Abuse Screener
National Institute on Drug Abuse Screener (NIDA) is a 1-item scale that asks participants how often they use a variety of substances. The questions are asked on a scale ranging from Never to Daily or Almost Daily.
Measured: Pre and post intervention which in general lasts 12 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted18 Oct 2024
- Study start30 Jul 2025
- Primary completion1 Mar 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion1 Mar 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)Studies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by University of Alabama at BirminghamThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 10 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, David Johnson, University of Alabama at Birmingham
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06647589
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- IRB-300013565-001
- Other IDs
- UAB
- Status last verified
- Mar 2026
- First submitted
- 16 Oct 2024
- Last updated
- 28 Sep 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 28 Sep 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Efficacy of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Religiously Oriented Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06647589
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- IRB-300013565-001
- Conditions
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Keywords
- scrupulosity, religion, acceptance and commitment therapy, obsessive-compulsive disorder, OCD
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 10 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- University of Alabama at BirminghamUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 30 Jul 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Mar 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 1 Mar 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 18 Oct 2024 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The purpose of the study is to examine the effects and feasibility of a specific form of psychotherapy, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), on religiously oriented obsessive and compulsive disorder (OCD).
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance and Commitment Therapy | Experimental | Behavioral: Acceptance and Commitment TherapyParticipants will receive twelve consecutive weeks of acceptance and commitment therapy |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- 18 years old
- Meet cutoff scores for scrupulosity
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Presence of psychotic symptoms within six months of screening
- Current suicidal/homicidal plan/intent and/or a suicide/homicide attempt within 6 months of screening
- Non-suicidal self-injury within 6 months of screening
- Narcotics use within 3 months of screening
- Purging/restricting behavior within 3 months of screening.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance and Commitment Therapyparticipants will then receive ACT-based individual therapy weekly for twelve weeks. | Behavioural | Acceptance and Commitment Therapy |
Primary outcome
Scrupulosity Obsessions and Compulsions Scale
Time frame: At baseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and post-intervention (12 weeks)
The Scrupulosity Obsessions and Compulsions Scale (SOCS) is a 10-item scale that asks participants how often they experience religious OCD obsessions and compulsions. The questions are asked on a scale ranging from 0 (Very Rarely) to 5 (Very Often).
Experiential Avoidance Rating Scale
Time frame: At baseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and post-intervention (12 weeks)
The Experiential Avoidance Rating Scale (EARS) is a 6-item scale that asks participants how true statements about avoiding experiences are for them. The questions are asked on a scale ranging from 1 (Never True) to 5 (Very Often True).
9 secondary outcomes
Centrality of Religiosity Scale - Interreligious 20
Time frame: Pre and post intervention which in general lasts 12 weeks
Yale-Brown Obsessive and Compulsive Scale - Self Report
Time frame: Pre and post intervention which in general lasts 12 weeks
Patient Health Questionnaire - 9
Time frame: Pre and post intervention which in general lasts 12 weeks
Generalized Anxiety Disorder - 7
Time frame: Pre and post intervention which in general lasts 12 weeks
The Intrinsic Spirituality Scale
Time frame: Pre and post intervention which in general lasts 12 weeks
Psy-Flex
Time frame: Pre and post intervention which in general lasts 12 weeks
Almost Perfect Scale - Revised
Time frame: Pre and post intervention which in general lasts 12 weeks
The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test
Time frame: Pre and post intervention which in general lasts 12 weeks
National Institute on Drug Abuse Screener
Time frame: Pre and post intervention which in general lasts 12 weeks
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 28 Sep 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in people with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), run by University of Alabama at Birmingham at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 2 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 28 Sep 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact David Johnson (8013891733, dajohns4@uab.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Scrupulosity Obsessions and Compulsions Scale (time frame: At baseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and post-intervention (12 weeks)). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 28 Sep 2026.