New therapy targets the Brain's 'Thought Loops' in OCD, anxiety, and depression
NCT ID NCT04225624
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested a type of therapy called Emotion Regulation Therapy - Attention Regulation (AR-ERT) to help people with obsessive-compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, or major depressive disorder who struggle with repetitive negative thinking. 65 adults in Massachusetts received eight weekly therapy sessions focused on improving attention and cognitive control. The goal was to see if this approach could reduce unwanted thoughts and improve mental health.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Emotion Regulation Therapy - Attention Regulation (AR-ERT)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this therapy could offer a new way to reduce repetitive negative thinking in people with OCD, anxiety, or depression.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage trial with only 65 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The therapy is behavioral and may not work for all individuals.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER are added.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Can a single ketamine infusion quiet the obsessive mind?
- Can a structured care pathway ease teen depression?
- Can a nasal spray break through tough depression?
- Could a new drug offer hope for Treatment-Resistant depression?
- Can a new pill quiet the mind? a large trial puts it to the test
- Can improv comedy help tame OCD?