Brain pacemaker shows promise for severe OCD

NCT ID NCT04967560

Completed Disease control Sponsor: Shanghai Mental Health Center Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jul 06, 2026 · Last updated Jul 07, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tests whether deep brain stimulation (DBS) — a device that sends electrical pulses to specific brain areas — can help people with severe obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) that hasn't improved with standard treatments. Participants receive a DBS implant targeting two brain regions linked to OCD. Half get real stimulation, half get sham (no stimulation) for three months, then all can receive real stimulation. The goal is to see if DBS significantly reduces OCD symptoms and improves quality of life.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: deep brain stimulation (DBS) device
What this could lead to: If it works, this could offer a new treatment option for people with severe OCD that hasn't responded to standard therapies.
What could go wrong: This is a relatively small, early-stage trial. The surgery carries risks like infection or bleeding, and the stimulation may cause side effects. It's not yet proven to work for everyone.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

obsessive-compulsive disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

OBSESSIVE - COMPULSIVE DISORDER

Contacts and locations

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Locations

Brains Hospital of Hunan Province

Changsha, Hunan, China
Changhai Hospital

Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, China
Huashan Hospital

Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, China
Shanghai Mental Health Center

Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, 200030, China
The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University

Kunming, Yunnan, China
The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University

Zhengzhou, Henan, China
West China Hospital

Chengdu, Sichuan, China

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