Aerobic Exercise and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Symptoms
Eligible age
18–64 yrs
Accepts
All genders
Locations
1 state
Healthy volunteers
No
See if you qualify for this study
Answer a few quick questions about your location and health. Takes about a minute.
About this study
The purpose of this study is to examine the acute effects of exercise on cognitive flexibility and symptom reactivity. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does moderate intensity physical activity reduce subjective distress, compulsive urges, and intrusions- and increase cognitive flexibility- in adults with obsessive-compulsive disorder compared to low-intensity physical activity? Researchers will compare low- to moderate-intensity exercise to see if moderate physical activity increases cognitive flexibility and reduces symptom reactivity in adults with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Participants will: Complete self-report surveys, psychiatric interviews, and cognitive tasks. Be assigned to either a low- or moderate-intensity exercise condition and complete physical activity. Repeat cognitive and symptom measures following the exercise intervention.
Sponsor: Yale University
You may qualify if…
- ✓ Adults, age 18 to 64 years
- ✓ Meet diagnostic criteria for OCD (per the DIAMOND)
- ✓ Stable psychiatric or medication treatment (if ≥4-weeks), or if no active treatment. Psychotropic medications will be reviewed with the study psychiatrist on a case by case basis.
You may not qualify if…
- ✕ Active or unmanaged psychotic disorders, pervasive developmental disorders, bipolar disorder, current substance use disorder (moderate-to-severe), or high risk for suicide (defined as attempt, plan, or intent within past 3 months)
- ✕ Documented motor impairments and medical condition(s) that prohibit physical exercise
- ✕ Those who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant
Where it's recruiting
New Haven
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · NCT07103902 · last updated 2026-07-02