New therapy targets the Brain's 'Thought Loops' in OCD, anxiety, and depression

NCT ID NCT04225624

Symptom relief Sponsor: Massachusetts General Hospital Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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.

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Not a phased trial

Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.

Participants

65 people

The number who actually took part.

Started

Apr 2021

Finished

Apr 2025

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

18 to 60 years

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * Adults ages 18-60 years old * Right-handed * Living in Massachusetts * Repetitive Negative Thinking (RNT) in the form of mental rituals, worries, and/or depressive ruminations is the primary reason for seeking treatment * RNT significant enough to warrant intervention * Fluent in English, willing to provide informed consent, and willing to comply with the study protocol * Access to a device with an internet connection, camera, and microphone (e.g., computer, smart phone, tablet) * Comfortable and capable of using a computer and completing reaction-time tasks Exclusion Criteria: * History of head injury or neurologic disease, mental retardation, or borderline intellectual functioning that would interfere with ability to participate in the study. * Impaired (or uncorrected) vision, medical illness, or medical treatment that would interfere with participation. * Active suicidal or homicidal ideation or any features requiring a higher level of care. * Lifetime psychotic disorder or bipolar disorder * Substance or alcohol use disorder that would interfere with treatment. * Current Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) that would interfere with attentional tasks. * Unstable dose of psychotropic medications or recent discontinuation of psychotropic medication. * Current psychotherapy or plans to initiate such treatment during the study. * Previous course of treatment with cognitive behavioral therapy and/or mindfulness/meditation for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), or depression.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

generalized anxiety disorder major depressive disorder Obsessive Behavior obsessive-compulsive disorder Rumination Syndrome

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Generalized anxiety disorder Major depressive disorder Obsessive compulsive disorder

New therapy targets the Brain's 'Thought Loops' in OCD, anxiety, and depression

What the study statuses mean