Obsessive-Compulsive DisorderNCT03241056
Cognitive Checking Intervention for Maladaptive Beliefs About Memory
A study testing CBT for Maladaptive Beliefs about Memory and Treatment as Usual in people with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, run by University of Manitoba at 1 site in Canada.
Trial summary
A small (N = 24) pilot study developed a new and brief cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) module for checking symptoms (CBT-C) in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). CBT-C targets maladaptive beliefs about memory and results show that it is effective at significantly decreasing checking symptoms as compared to a… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
- What is being tested?
- CBT for Maladaptive Beliefs about Memory and Treatment as Usual
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 23 participants
- Where
- 1 siteCanada
- Study dates
- 4 Jan 2018to 28 Jul 2023
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
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
- Adult over the age of 18 living in the province of Manitoba, Canada.
- Diagnosis of OCD with clinically significant levels of compulsive checking (i.e., able to meet the diagnostic criteria for OCD according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition based solely on checking symptoms. Other OCD symptoms may be present and checking does not need to be the primary symptom.)
Who cannot join
- Active psychosis
- Active Mania
- Presence of a substance use disorder that would interfere with participation in the treatment
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Increasing Memory Confidence: A Novel Intervention for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
A small (N = 24) pilot study developed a new and brief cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) module for checking symptoms (CBT-C) in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). CBT-C targets maladaptive beliefs about memory and results show that it is effective at significantly decreasing checking symptoms as compared to a waitlist control. The objectives of the current investigation are to further investigate CBT-C by (1) replicating the pilot results in a larger sample; (2) using an active control condition (treatment as usual) as the comparison condition (3) including a 6-month follow-up, and (4) determining whether the association between maladaptive beliefs about memory at pre-treatment assessment are related to degree of checking symptom reduction following CBT-C. The findings of the study will have theoretical significance in adding to our understanding of the maladaptive belief domains relevant to the development and maintenance of OCD and supporting the cognitive model of compulsive checking. The relevant clinical significance is the further development of an intervention that could improve outcomes in treatment of persons with OCD. The key practical outcome of the research would be to add a stepped care offering to patients with OCD.
- Conditions
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
- Being tested
- CBT for Maladaptive Beliefs about Memory, Treatment as Usual
- 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.
CBT for Maladaptive Beliefs about MemoryBehavioural
The novel intervention is a manualized 2-session cognitive behavioural therapy. Agenda elements, including psycho-education, discussion prompts, and homework exercises are standardized across participants. In session 1, participants are taught about the cognitive theory of checking, the research support behind this theory, and how it may apply to their own checking behavior. A homework exercise is introduced and practiced to test out this theory. In session 2, the homework results are reviewed. Further education is shared on the nature of memory and the relationship to checking, and a discussion regarding how this applies to the participant's checking then takes place. A second homework exercise is introduced to test this theory.
Treatment as UsualOther
Treatment as Usual (TAU) during patients' time on our waitlist in our clinic will depend on at what point they have been recruited. It may consist of a 2-session group psychoeducational intervention on anxiety, any medications prescribed by their referring physicians, and/or independent therapy/counseling they may be seeking on the side. TAU for community participants will include any treatments they are currently seeking. Information about participation in such interventions will be collected during the course of the study (at each assessment visit) in order to accurately characterize participants' TAU in the current study.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| CBT for Maladaptive Beliefs about Memory | Experimental | Using cognitive-behavioural therapy principles, this therapy is intended to examine and change maladaptive beliefs about memory as they pertain to compulsive checking. Receives: Behavioral: CBT for Maladaptive Beliefs about Memory |
| Treatment as Usual | Active comparator | This is a control treatment, Treatment as Usual (TAU), which is what patients or community members would otherwise normally receive. Receives: Other: Treatment as Usual |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Vancouver Obsessional Compulsive Inventory - checking subscale (change)
This six-item subscale of a self-report questionnaire measure assesses severity of checking-related OCD symptoms.
Measured: Change in checking symptoms from pre-treatment to post-treatment at 3 weeks later
Average time spent checking per week (change)
Participants record their daily time spent checking in daily diary records while in the active phase of the study.
Measured: Change in average time spent checking from pre-treatment to post-treatment at 3 weeks later
Vancouver Obsessional Compulsive Inventory - checking subscale
This six-item subscale of a self-report questionnaire measure assesses severity of checking-related OCD symptoms.
Measured: Avarege time spent checking at 6-month follow-up
Secondary outcomes (4)
Beliefs about Memory Inventory (change)
Self-report questionnaire that assesses extent participant believes they have a bad memory.
Measured: Change in beliefs about memory from pre-treatment to post-treatment at 3 weeks later
Beliefs about Memory Inventory
Self-report questionnaire that assesses extent participant believes they have a bad memory.
Measured: Beliefs about memory at 6 month follow-up
Obsessive Beliefs Questionnaire (change)
Self-report questionnaire that assesses maladaptive belief domains known to be related to checking. The responsibility/threat subscale is of particular interest as it is known to be related to checking behaviour.
Measured: Change in obsessive beliefs from pre-treatment to post-treatment at 3 weeks later
Obsessive Beliefs Questionnaire
Self-report questionnaire that assesses maladaptive belief domains known to be related to checking. The responsibility/threat subscale is of particular interest as it is known to be related to checking behaviour.
Measured: Obsessive beliefs at 6-month follow-up
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted7 Aug 2017
- Study start4 Jan 2018
- Primary completion28 Jul 2023
- Study completion28 Jul 2023
Why it stopped: Funding used up; recruitment slow.
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Obsessive-Compulsive DisorderStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by University of ManitobaThe 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
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 23 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Manitoba
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Gillian Alcolado, University of Manitoba
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03241056
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- H2017:142
- Status last verified
- May 2026
- First submitted
- 27 Jul 2017
- Last updated
- 19 May 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 19 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Increasing Memory Confidence: A Novel Intervention for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03241056
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- H2017:142
- Conditions
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- TerminatedReason stopped: Funding used up; recruitment slow.
- Enrolment
- 23 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University of ManitobaUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 4 Jan 2018 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 28 Jul 2023 (actual)
- Study completion
- 28 Jul 2023 (actual)
- First posted
- 7 Aug 2017 (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.
A small (N = 24) pilot study developed a new and brief cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) module for checking symptoms (CBT-C) in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). CBT-C targets maladaptive beliefs about memory and results show that it is effective at significantly decreasing checking symptoms as compared to a waitlist control. The objectives of the current investigation are to further investigate CBT-C by (1) replicating the pilot results in a larger sample; (2) using an active control condition (treatment as usual) as the comparison condition (3) including a 6-month follow-up, and (4) determining whether the association between maladaptive beliefs about memory at pre-treatment assessment are related to degree of checking symptom reduction following CBT-C. The findings of the study will have theoretical significance in adding to our understanding of the maladaptive belief domains relevant to the development and maintenance of OCD and supporting the cognitive model of compulsive checking. The relevant clinical significance is the further development of an intervention that could improve outcomes in treatment of persons with OCD. The key practical outcome of the research would be to add a stepped care offering to patients with OCD.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| CBT for Maladaptive Beliefs about Memory | Experimental | Behavioral: CBT for Maladaptive Beliefs about MemoryUsing cognitive-behavioural therapy principles, this therapy is intended to examine and change maladaptive beliefs about memory as they pertain to compulsive checking. |
| Treatment as Usual | Active comparator | Other: Treatment as UsualThis is a control treatment, Treatment as Usual (TAU), which is what patients or community members would otherwise normally receive. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Adult over the age of 18 living in the province of Manitoba, Canada.
- Diagnosis of OCD with clinically significant levels of compulsive checking (i.e., able to meet the diagnostic criteria for OCD according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition based solely on checking symptoms. Other OCD symptoms may be present and checking does not need to be the primary symptom.)
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Active psychosis
- Active Mania
- Presence of a substance use disorder that would interfere with participation in the treatment
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 |
|---|---|---|
| CBT for Maladaptive Beliefs about MemoryThe novel intervention is a manualized 2-session cognitive behavioural therapy. Agenda elements, including psycho-education, discussion prompts, and homework exercises are standardized across participants. In session 1, participants are taught about the cognitive theory of checking, the research support behind this theory, and how it may apply to their own checking behavior. A homework exercise is introduced and practiced to test out this theory. In session 2, the homework results are reviewed. Further education is shared on the nature of memory and the relationship to checking, and a discussion regarding how this applies to the participant's checking then takes place. A second homework exercise is introduced to test this theory. | Behavioural | CBT for Maladaptive Beliefs about Memory |
| Treatment as UsualTreatment as Usual (TAU) during patients' time on our waitlist in our clinic will depend on at what point they have been recruited. It may consist of a 2-session group psychoeducational intervention on anxiety, any medications prescribed by their referring physicians, and/or independent therapy/counseling they may be seeking on the side. TAU for community participants will include any treatments they are currently seeking. Information about participation in such interventions will be collected during the course of the study (at each assessment visit) in order to accurately characterize participants' TAU in the current study. | Other | Treatment as Usual |
Primary outcome
Vancouver Obsessional Compulsive Inventory - checking subscale (change)
Time frame: Change in checking symptoms from pre-treatment to post-treatment at 3 weeks later
This six-item subscale of a self-report questionnaire measure assesses severity of checking-related OCD symptoms.
Average time spent checking per week (change)
Time frame: Change in average time spent checking from pre-treatment to post-treatment at 3 weeks later
Participants record their daily time spent checking in daily diary records while in the active phase of the study.
Vancouver Obsessional Compulsive Inventory - checking subscale
Time frame: Avarege time spent checking at 6-month follow-up
This six-item subscale of a self-report questionnaire measure assesses severity of checking-related OCD symptoms.
4 secondary outcomes
Beliefs about Memory Inventory (change)
Time frame: Change in beliefs about memory from pre-treatment to post-treatment at 3 weeks later
Beliefs about Memory Inventory
Time frame: Beliefs about memory at 6 month follow-up
Obsessive Beliefs Questionnaire (change)
Time frame: Change in obsessive beliefs from pre-treatment to post-treatment at 3 weeks later
Obsessive Beliefs Questionnaire
Time frame: Obsessive beliefs at 6-month follow-up
Results and safety
The study was stopped early (reason given: Funding used up; recruitment slow.). Results are not available in the source record.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 19 May 2026.
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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. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing CBT for Maladaptive Beliefs about Memory and Treatment as Usual in people with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, run by University of Manitoba at 1 site in Canada.
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 3 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: stopped early, as of the sponsor's last update on 19 May 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 Canada. 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?
The study was stopped early (reason given: Funding used up; recruitment slow.). Results are not available in the source record.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Vancouver Obsessional Compulsive Inventory - checking subscale (change) (time frame: Change in checking symptoms from pre-treatment to post-treatment at 3 weeks later). The study lists 3 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 19 May 2026.