Comparing exposure v imagery rescripting in people with OCD: a SCED
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Comparing exposure v imagery rescripting in people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: a single case experimental design
IRAS ID
342003
Contact name
David Veale
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 10 months, 23 days
Research summary
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) occurs when someone has intrusive thoughts which cause anxiety and drive them to engage in behaviours to relieve the anxiety. This project aims to compare two interventions (imagery rescripting and imaginal exposure) to see which is more effective in the treatment of people with OCD experiencing intrusive thoughts/images. The interventions aim to reduce the severity, frequency, and vividness of the intrusions. The thoughts and images being focused on in this project are those which are prospective and those based in the future, as opposed to retrospective and connected to past experiences.
Evidence currently shows that imaginal exposure is effective at treating future-orientated thoughts and images. However, this intervention may not be suitable for all individuals. There is an increasing amount of research showing that imagery rescripting is effective at treating individuals with a variety of difficulties, including those with OCD experiencing thoughts and images connected to the past. There is emerging evidence that imagery rescripting is also effective in the treatment of future-orientated thoughts and images, and we aim to add to this evidence. Identifying the most effective intervention to treat individuals with future-orientation thoughts and/or images is vital due to the experience being extremely distressing.
This project is being undertaken as part of a doctoral thesis and will be funded by King's College London. Potential participants will be identified in the Centre for Anxiety Disorders and Trauma (South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust). Participants must have a main diagnosis of OCD and must be experiencing future-orientated thoughts and/or images which are causing distress and interfering with their lives.
Participants will be guided through the two interventions (imagery rescripting and imaginal exposure) as part of their standard OCD treatment. The standard treatment for OCD is 3-4 months.
REC name
South Central - Hampshire A Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/SC/0258
Date of REC Opinion
19 Aug 2024
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion