Exercise may ease OCD symptoms in minutes, small trial hopes to prove

NCT ID NCT07103902

Recruiting now Symptom relief Sponsor: Yale University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jul 02, 2026 · Updated 2 times

Summary

This study from Yale University will test whether 20 minutes of moderate cycling can reduce obsessive thoughts, compulsive urges, and improve thinking flexibility in adults with OCD. Fifty participants will be randomly assigned to either moderate or low-intensity cycling. Researchers will measure symptoms and cognitive performance before and after exercise to see if moderate intensity offers extra benefits.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: aerobic exercise (cycling)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a simple, drug-free way to temporarily ease OCD symptoms and improve mental flexibility.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-stage study with only 50 people, looking at short-term effects. The results may not apply to everyone with OCD, and exercise might not help all symptoms.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

anxiety disorder obsessive-compulsive disorder psychiatric disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

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

OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER (OCD)

Contacts and locations

Locations

Temple Medical Center
RECRUITING

New Haven, Connecticut, 06511, United States

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