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Effect of Emotion-Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Symptom Severity

The Effect of Emotion-Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Symptom Severity: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07622654
Acronym
ACT-OCD
Enrollment
36
Registered
2026-06-03
Start date
2025-10-01
Completion date
2026-06-01
Last updated
2026-06-03

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Obsessive - Compulsive Disorder, OCD

Keywords

ACT, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Group Psychotherapy, OCD, Emotion-Focused Therapy, Psychological Flexibility

Brief 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. 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).

Interventions

BEHAVIORALEmotion-Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Group Psychotherapy

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.

Sponsors

Mehmet Emrah Karadere
Lead SponsorOTHER
Goztepe Prof Dr Suleyman Yalcın City Hospital
CollaboratorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Masking description

This is an open-label study. Due to the nature of psychotherapy interventions, blinding of participants and therapists is not possible. Outcome assessors are not blinded.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* 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

Exclusion criteria

* 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

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Obsessive-Compulsive Symptom SeverityBaseline 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- DOCSBaseline and 10-12 weeksChange in OCD symptom severity measured by Dimensional Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (DOCS) from baseline to post treatment.

Countries

Turkey (Türkiye)

Contacts

CONTACTMehmet Emrah Karadere
memrahkaradere@gmail.com05332651664
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORMehmet Emrah Karadere

Goztepe Prof Dr Suleyman Yalcın City Hospital

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORKaasım Fatih Yavuz

Baglamsal Bilimler ve Psikoterapiler Dernegi

STUDY_DIRECTORBeyza Baran Boz

Goztepe Prof Dr Suleyman Yalcın City Hospital

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Jun 4, 2026