Participate in an Online Survey about Childhood Experiences and OCD

Graduate Student Jenna Feldman is working on another research project at Yeshiva University.  She asked me to post the link to her survey about childhood experiences and OCD, and invite you to participate.


Online Survey about Childhood Experiences and OCD

If you are an adult (age >18) and suffer from the symptoms of OCD you are invited to complete an online survey about your symptoms as well as certain childhood experiences that some people have. This study is being conducted by the Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology at Yeshiva University. If you consent to participate in this study you will complete a series of anonymous questionnaires that ask you questions about your childhood experiences and emotions. The survey should take approximately 45 minutes to complete. If you elect to participate you will have the option to be entered into a raffle for one of four $50 gift cards. To learn more about the study please follow the link below:

https://yeshiva.co1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_bJHeDO4h3NzZzyR

Online Survey on Beliefs about OCD Treatment is Still Looking for Participants

Online Survey of Beliefs about OCD Treatment
Please help Jenna Feldman with a research survey about OCD treatment and enter a raffle for a $50 giftcard!

She is a graduate student working toward her doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Yeshiva University, and collaborating on a research project about OCD.  If you are an adult age >18) please participate in the online survey about your beliefs about treatments that exist for OCD.  The survey should take around 40 minutes to complete.  The study was reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

If you elect to participate you will be entered into a raffle for a $50 giftcard!  We are now about a quarter-way done with our data collection, and have already awarded one $50 giftcard to a participant.  However, we still have three remaining giftcards to give out, so please consider filling out our survey. We really appreciate your help!

To learn more about the study please follow the link below:

https://yeshiva.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6GxEWgbMJcx1ZaJ
Thank you for participating!

Participate in an Online Survey of Beliefs about OCD Treatment

Online Survey of Beliefs about OCD Treatment

Jenna Feldman, graduate student working toward her doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Yeshiva University, is collaborating on a research project about OCD. She is looking for (adults over age 18) who would be interested in participating in an online survey about your beliefs about treatments that exist for OCD.  The survey should take around 40 minutes to complete.  If you elect to participate you will be entered into a raffle for one of four $50 gift cards.  To learn more about the study please follow the link below:

https://yeshiva.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6GxEWgbMJcx1ZaJ

Behavioral and fMRI studies of cognition: A Chance to Participate in OCD Research before January 10, 2014

I posted information about this previously.  Mt. Sinai is closing their study by January 10, 2014, and still needs 2-3 more patients before then.

Behavioral and fMRI studies of cognition in healthy individuals and patients with anxiety

Study Description The current study is a neuroimaging study involving fMRI.  Specifically, we seek to examine the neural mechanisms underlying switching attention between internal thought, such as imagination,  and external stimuli.   

For OCD patients, participation consists of 2-3 sessions totaling 5-7 hours, and participants are reimbursed at $25 an hour.  The first session involves a clinical assessment and paperwork to confirm the patient's eligibility (~3 hours total), and the second session involves completing computer tasks while in the scanner (~2.5 hours total).  Payment is given to participants in cash upon completion of their participation.

Link http://icahn.mssm.edu/research/clinical-trials/11-1344

OCD Treatment Study: For those Taking Medication but Still Having Symptoms in Philadelphia and New York

This is a study for people who are taking medication for Obsessive Compsulvise Disorder (OCD) but still have trouble with OCD symptoms. The study provides a type of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for OCD to see whether this therapy can help people become well and then stop taking their medication.

Medication and OCD

The most commonly used treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a group of medications called serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs). Despite research showing that these medications help many OCD patients, a substantial number who take such medications remain symptomatic. In fact, on average patients taking SRIs experience only a 30% reduction in their OCD symptoms and most have side effects that impact their quality of life.

Another Treatment Option

Another treatment for OCD is a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy called Exposure and Response Prevention (EX/RP). EX/RP has been found effective as a stand-alone treatment for OCD and it can also further reduce OCD symptoms in patients who take medication and continue to experience OCD related distress. Not only is EX/RP effective in reducing symptoms, many patients are able to maintain their gains after therapy has stopped.

Our OCD Treatment Study

The goal of this study is to identify who benefits from adding Exposure and Response Prevention to SRI medication and to find out whether they can discontinue their SRI. Participants in the study will receive up to 25 twice-weekly sessions of EX/RP. Participants who experience a significant reduction of OCD symptoms from EX/RP will be randomly selected to either: 1) gradually discontinue their medication and begin taking a placebo (sugar) pill instead or, 2) to continue taking their medication. Participants will not know if they are taking placebo or medication. All participants will be monitored by the study psychiatrist for an additional 6 months and will receive monthly therapy sessions to help them maintain the gains made from EX/RP.

This study is being conducted in Philadelphia at the University of Pennsylvania and inNew York at Columbia University. To participate in this research, you must be able and willing to travel to either Philadelphia or New York for all study visits.

Click here to find out more about eligibility for our OCD treatment study.

Warning:People with OCD should never try to stop taking their medication without supervision by their prescribing doctor.

Center for the Treatment
and Study of Anxiety
University of Pennsylvania
3535 Market St, 6th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19104
215-746-3327

EDITED 12/18/14
The contact info for the New York Site has changed:  (646) 774-8062 and the new email is mschwar@nyspi.columbia.edu

Participants Wanted for Mt. Sinai Hospital on Learning How Cognition Works in OCD

Behavioral and fMRI studies of cognition in healthy individuals and patients with anxiety

ID Number 11-1344

Principal Investigator(s) 
Emily Stern 

Department(s) or Division(s) 
Psychiatry 

Description 

The current research study is designed to learn more about how cognition works in individuals with anxiety disorders, specifically Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).  This study uses neuroimaging techniques (fMRI) to examine the neural mechanisms underlying switching attention in individuals with a diagnosis of OCD.  

Potential participants may qualify to take part in this research study if they are between the ages of 18 and 50 without a history of serious problems with their health (such as a heart attack), emotions (such as depression) or nervous system (such as seizures), have received a diagnosis of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, and are interested in participating in psychological research.

Contact Information 
Alexandra Muratore
(212) 824-8995
sinaibrainlab@mssm.edu 

Recruiting Patients: Yes 

Link http://icahn.mssm.edu/research/clinical-trials/11-1344

Participate in online surveys for research on OCD and family relationships via Case Western Reserve University

Amy Przeworski contacted me about posting a link to her online studies. Researchers at Case Western Reserve University are conducting two online studies about the relationships of individuals with OCD or hoarding. Each study involves completing questionnaires online about relationships, emotions and OCD. You must be at least 18 to participate. Those who participate may enter into a raffle for a Target gift card. The information gathered from this study may help to improve therapies for OCD.

For more information:

Individuals with OCD and/or hoarding:

http://filer.case.edu/~axp335/ocd.htm

Relatives and significant others of those with OCD and/or hoarding:

http://filer.case.edu/~axp335/famocd.htm

This study is being conducted by Amy Przeworski, a researcher in the psychology department at Case Western Reserve University.

OCD-Stop: Free Online Treatment for OCD in Australia from Swinburne University

I received a message from a research assistant at Swinburne University of Technology in Australia about online treatment they are offering through a study by Swinburne's National eTherapy Centre. Their website mentions Exposure Therapy in conjunction with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as effective treatment for OCD.

More about OCD STOP!

OCD STOP! online treatment is based on a face-to-face Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) already in use. Evidence shows CBT is the most effective treatment for OCD. The online program OCD STOP! is known to help reduce symptoms of OCD. This study aims to find out who can most benefit from this treatment.

OCD STOP is free, safe, completely confidential, and does not use medications.

The 12 week program provides information about OCD, and helps participants learn how to control their anxiety and better manage their OCD. During the trial participants receive assistance in the form of weekly email contact with a qualified therapist.

Participants in the trial will be randomly assigned to one of two groups, those undertaking a cognitive behavioural treatment program called Systematic Treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Phenomena or OCD-STOP, and those completing Progressive Relaxation Training. Irrespective of which program they are assigned, all individuals will be given the opportunity to take the alternative treatment at no cost.

The director is Prof. Michael Kyrios, an academic clinical psychologist.

Note: OCD Stop! online is free. There is also a group that meets onsite, with a nominal fee.



Swinburne is also offering a 12 week STOP Group for OCD, starting April 2012, at Swinburne's campus in Hawthorne VIC, Melbourne.The program cost $420 for the 12 weeks. You may be eligible to receive Medicare Rebates. Medicare rebates are only available for sessions attended. A Mental Health Care Plan and a GP referral for psychological group therapy are needed to obtain a Medicare rebate for the cost of the group. The next STOP therapy program is planned to commence in April 2012. To find out how you can register to participate in this group please contact the Clinic's Project Officer by phone (03) 9214 5528 or email psychprojects@swin.edu.au

Free Online Treatment for OCD in Australia

Macquarie University's Centre for Emotional Health in Australia contacted me about passing on information about a free online course they are offering for dealing with OCD. I checked out their About Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) factsheet, and they advocate for Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy, so if you live in Australia, this could be helpful.

Here are some details:
The eCentreClinic OCD Course is a 5-lesson cognitive and behavioural treatment package that delivers remote evidence- based treatment. The treatment includes techniques that would normally be delivered in face to face treatment. The main emphasis is on exposure and response prevention however the Course also includes a strong cognitive component. The OCD Course is delivered over 8 weeks and the participant has bi-weekly telephone contact with a Clinical Psychologist who is experienced in the treatment of OCD. The Course is open to individuals with all subtypes of obsessive compulsive disorder (with the exception of primary hoarding compulsions).

The OCD Course has been tested in one open trial with 20 participants to date. This research has been accepted for publication in the Journal of Anxiety Disorders. In summary the results from this study showed a high level of acceptability for the Course with 81% of participants completing all the Lessons and 100% of respondents indicating that they would recommend the Course to friends. In terms of clinical outcomes, participants improved significantly on the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale and 52% of participants no longer met criteria for OCD at 3 month follow-up.

Exclusion criteria for the OCD Course include:

- Aged <18

- Primary hoarding compulsions

- Suicidal intent

- History of psychosis

- No access to the internet

- Unstable medication dosage

- Current CBT treatment for OCD

- Residing outside of Australia

For enrollment information, check out The OCD Course.

Skype for OCD Study: Project SOS from Drexel University(Residents from PA, NJ, NY, ID, MD, CO, HI, IA, SD, WA, WV and WI may be eligible)

I was contacted by Project SOS of Drexel University, asking if I would advertise their study comparing two different types of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy/Exposure Therapy, administered via Skype. I am glad to pass on this information, and am glad that Drexel is funding research that examines factors related to the dissemination of effective, evidence based treatments for anxiety disorders.

Residents of the following states may be eligible:

Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Colorado, Hawaii, Iowa, South Dakota, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin. JUST Added: New York, Idaho

Online Treatment Program for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Skype for OCD Study (Project S.O.S.)

General Study Information

Drexel University Anxiety Treatment and Research Program is providing treatment free of charge to eligible participants through the University's Department of Psychology. The research study seeks to examine the effectiveness of two variations of a specific type of Cognitive Behavior Therapy (i.e., Exposure and Ritual Prevention) for people with OCD. Treatment is delivered over a period of 16-18 sessions conducted via the videoconferencing program Skype.

Determine Eligibility to Enroll in Program

Let us know that you’re interested! To determine if you are eligible, please call (215) 553-7000 or email us at drexel.sos@gmail.com and provide us with your name and telephone number. Alternately, you can complete this contact form. However you choose to contact us, a member of our clinical team will be in touch with you promptly.

Here is our Project SOS Contact Information:

Phone: (215) 553-7000

Fax: (215) 762-4834

Mailing Address:
Anxiety Treatment and Research Program
Drexel University
Mail Stop 988
245 N. 15th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102-1192

Email Address: drexel.sos@gmail.com

You can learn more about the eligibility process here.