OCDACT-OCDNCT07622654
Effect of Emotion-Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Symptom Severity
A study testing Emotion-Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Group Psychotherapy in people with OCD and Obsessive - Compulsive Disorder, run by Mehmet Emrah Karadere at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
This study aims to investigate the effect of Emotion-Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) group psychotherapy on obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptom severity. Participants with OCD will be randomly assigned to either an ACT-based group psychotherapy arm or a supportive group psychotherapy arm. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 65 years
- Conditions the study is for
- OCD, Obsessive - Compulsive Disorder
- What is being tested?
- Emotion-Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Group Psychotherapy
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 36 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 1 Oct 2025to 1 Jun 2026
- 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 to 65 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Diagnosis of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder according to DSM-5 criteria
- Age between 18-65 years
- Minimum literacy level
- Willingness to participate and providing informed consent
Who cannot join
- Age over 65 years
- Diagnosis of alcohol or substance use disorder
- Comorbid psychotic disorder or intellectual disability
- Any change in psychiatric treatment (medication or psychotherapy) in the last 3 months
- Comorbid psychiatric disorder that would impair group therapy compliance
- History of cognitive impairment due to dementia, organic brain syndrome or other neurological/organic pathology
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Goztepe Prof. Dr. Suleyman Yalcin City Hospital
Istanbul, Istanbul, 34722
Mehmet Emrah Karadere, 905332651664, memrahkaradere@gmail.com
Mehmet Emrah Karadere
About this study
Official title: The Effect of Emotion-Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Symptom Severity: A Randomized Controlled Trial
This study aims to investigate the effect of Emotion-Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) group psychotherapy on obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptom severity. Participants with OCD will be randomly assigned to either an ACT-based group psychotherapy arm or a supportive group psychotherapy arm. Each arm consists of 10 to 12 weekly sessions of 2 hours. Symptom severity, psychological flexibility, emotional awareness, functioning and quality of life will be assessed before and after the intervention.
Read the detailed description
This randomized controlled trial investigates the efficacy of an Emotion-Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) protocol in adults diagnosed with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Participants will be recruited from the psychiatry outpatient clinic of Goztepe Prof. Dr. Suleyman Yalcin Sehir Hastanesi.
Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to one of two arms:
ACT-based group psychotherapy: Structured group therapy targeting emotional awareness, acceptance of emotional experiences, cognitive defusion, present-moment focus, values clarification, and committed action. Groups will consist of 8-10 participants, meeting once weekly for 10-12 sessions of 2 hours each.
Supportive group psychotherapy (active control): Unstructured supportive group therapy aimed at providing emotional support, enhancing coping with stress, and maintaining current functioning. Groups will consist of 8-10 participants, meeting once weekly for 10-12 sessions of 2 hours each.
Assessments will be conducted at baseline and post-treatment using the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS), Dimensional Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (DOCS), Vancouver Obsessional Compulsive Inventory (VOCI), SF-36 Quality of Life Scale, Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20).
- Conditions
- OCD, Obsessive - Compulsive Disorder
- Being tested
- Emotion-Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Group Psychotherapy
- Keywords
- ACT, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Group Psychotherapy, OCD, Emotion-Focused Therapy, Psychological Flexibility
- Medical subject headings
- Compulsive Personality Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Emotion-Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Group PsychotherapyBehavioural
Structured group psychotherapy based on ACT principles targeting emotional awareness, acceptance of emotional experiences, cognitive defusion, present-moment focus, values clarification and committed action. Sessions are conducted face-to-face, once weekly, 2 hours per session, for 10-12 weeks.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| ACT-Based Group Psychotherapy | Experimental | Emotion-focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) based structured group psychotherapy targeting emotional awareness, acceptance, cognitive defusion, present-moment focus, values clarification and committed action. Groups consist of 8-10 participants, meeting once weekly for 10-12 sessions of 2 hours each. Receives: Behavioral: Emotion-Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Group Psychotherapy |
| Supportive Group Psychotherapy | Active comparator | Unstructured supportive group psychotherapy aimed at providing emotional support, enhancing coping with stress and maintaining current functioning. Groups consist of 8-10 participants, meeting once weekly for 10-12 sessions of 2 hours each. Receives: Behavioral: Emotion-Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Group Psychotherapy |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Obsessive-Compulsive Symptom Severity
Change in OCD symptom severity measured by Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) from baseline to post-treatment.
Measured: Baseline and 10-12 weeks (post-treatment)
OCD Symtom Severity- DOCS
Change in OCD symptom severity measured by Dimensional Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (DOCS) from baseline to post treatment.
Measured: Baseline and 10-12 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted3 Jun 2026
- Study start1 Oct 2025
- Primary completion1 Jun 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion1 Jun 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for OCDStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- 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
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 36 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Mehmet Emrah Karadere
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Goztepe Prof Dr Suleyman Yalcın City Hospital
- Responsible party
- Sponsor-investigator, Mehmet Emrah Karadere, Goztepe Prof Dr Suleyman Yalcın City Hospital
- Investigators
- Mehmet Emrah Karadere, Principal investigator, Goztepe Prof Dr Suleyman Yalcın City HospitalKaasım Fatih Yavuz, Principal investigator, Baglamsal Bilimler ve Psikoterapiler DernegiBeyza Baran Boz, Study director, Goztepe Prof Dr Suleyman Yalcın City Hospital
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07622654
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2026/0040
- Other IDs
- 2025/0040
- Acronym
- ACT-OCD
- Status last verified
- May 2026
- First submitted
- 26 May 2026
- Last updated
- 3 Jun 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 3 Jun 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effect of Emotion-Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Symptom Severity: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07622654
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- ACT-OCD / 2026/0040
- Conditions
- OCD, Obsessive - Compulsive Disorder
- Keywords
- ACT, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Group Psychotherapy, OCD, Emotion-Focused Therapy, Psychological Flexibility
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 36 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Mehmet Emrah KaradereUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Goztepe Prof Dr Suleyman Yalcın City Hospital
- Study start
- 1 Oct 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Jun 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 1 Jun 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 3 Jun 2026 (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.
This study aims to investigate the effect of Emotion-Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) group psychotherapy on obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptom severity. Participants with OCD will be randomly assigned to either an ACT-based group psychotherapy arm or a supportive group psychotherapy arm. Each arm consists of 10 to 12 weekly sessions of 2 hours. Symptom severity, psychological flexibility, emotional awareness, functioning and quality of life will be assessed before and after the intervention.
Detailed description
This randomized controlled trial investigates the efficacy of an Emotion-Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) protocol in adults diagnosed with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Participants will be recruited from the psychiatry outpatient clinic of Goztepe Prof. Dr. Suleyman Yalcin Sehir Hastanesi.
Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to one of two arms:
ACT-based group psychotherapy: Structured group therapy targeting emotional awareness, acceptance of emotional experiences, cognitive defusion, present-moment focus, values clarification, and committed action. Groups will consist of 8-10 participants, meeting once weekly for 10-12 sessions of 2 hours each.
Supportive group psychotherapy (active control): Unstructured supportive group therapy aimed at providing emotional support, enhancing coping with stress, and maintaining current functioning. Groups will consist of 8-10 participants, meeting once weekly for 10-12 sessions of 2 hours each.
Assessments will be conducted at baseline and post-treatment using the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS), Dimensional Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (DOCS), Vancouver Obsessional Compulsive Inventory (VOCI), SF-36 Quality of Life Scale, Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20).
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| ACT-Based Group Psychotherapy | Experimental | Behavioral: Emotion-Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Group PsychotherapyEmotion-focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) based structured group psychotherapy targeting emotional awareness, acceptance, cognitive defusion, present-moment focus, values clarification and committed action. Groups consist of 8-10 participants, meeting once weekly for 10-12 sessions of 2 hours each. |
| Supportive Group Psychotherapy | Active comparator | Behavioral: Emotion-Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Group PsychotherapyUnstructured supportive group psychotherapy aimed at providing emotional support, enhancing coping with stress and maintaining current functioning. Groups consist of 8-10 participants, meeting once weekly for 10-12 sessions of 2 hours each. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Diagnosis of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder according to DSM-5 criteria
- Age between 18-65 years
- Minimum literacy level
- Willingness to participate and providing informed consent
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Age over 65 years
- Diagnosis of alcohol or substance use disorder
- Comorbid psychotic disorder or intellectual disability
- Any change in psychiatric treatment (medication or psychotherapy) in the last 3 months
- Comorbid psychiatric disorder that would impair group therapy compliance
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Emotion-Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Group PsychotherapyStructured group psychotherapy based on ACT principles targeting emotional awareness, acceptance of emotional experiences, cognitive defusion, present-moment focus, values clarification and committed action. Sessions are conducted face-to-face, once weekly, 2 hours per session, for 10-12 weeks. | Behavioural | ACT-Based Group Psychotherapy, Supportive Group Psychotherapy |
Primary outcome
Obsessive-Compulsive Symptom Severity
Time frame: Baseline and 10-12 weeks (post-treatment)
Change in OCD symptom severity measured by Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) from baseline to post-treatment.
OCD Symtom Severity- DOCS
Time frame: Baseline and 10-12 weeks
Change in OCD symptom severity measured by Dimensional Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (DOCS) from baseline to post treatment.
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 3 Jun 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
Related trials for OCD
Recruiting
Focused Ultrasound for Behavioral Health
Depression, Anxiety
Not yet recruiting
Linear Accelerator Radiosurgical Anterior Capsulotomy With Task-based fMRI Identification of PERSonalized and PrEdictiVE Biomarkers of REsponse in Treatment-Refractory Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (PERSEVERE Trial)
Treatment-refractory Obsessive-compulsive Disorder (trOCD)
Recruiting
tDCS Associated With Symptom Provocation in the Management of Patients With Resistant Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Recruiting
Mindfulness Intervention for Psychological and Family Dynamics in Children With Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors
Mindfulness Skills, Psychosocial Education
RecruitingPhase 2
SONATA Dose Duration LIFU for OCD
Obsessive - Compulsive Disorder
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.
Mehmet Emrah Karadere principal investigator
Goztepe Prof Dr Suleyman Yalcın City Hospital
Kaasım Fatih Yavuz principal investigator
Baglamsal Bilimler ve Psikoterapiler Dernegi
Beyza Baran Boz study director
Goztepe Prof Dr Suleyman Yalcın City Hospital
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Emotion-Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Group Psychotherapy in people with OCD and Obsessive - Compulsive Disorder, run by Mehmet Emrah Karadere at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
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 4 inclusion and 6 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 3 Jun 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 Turkey (Türkiye). 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 Mehmet Emrah Karadere (05332651664, memrahkaradere@gmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Obsessive-Compulsive Symptom Severity (time frame: Baseline and 10-12 weeks (post-treatment)). 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 3 Jun 2026.