A comparison of treatments for reassurance-seeking
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A case series evaluating emotional support as an intervention for reassurance seeking in OCD
IRAS ID
352661
Contact name
Chiara Causier
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University College London
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Z6364106/2025/03/09 , Data Protection number
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Using both quantitative and qualitative methodology, this study will aim to compare response prevention to response prevention with the addition of emotional support, in a group of NHS patients presenting with OCD and excessive reassurance seeking. In part one of the study, a 4-week alternating treatment design will be implemented as part of their routine therapy. We will aim to recruit 12 participants from the iCope service in London and 12 loved ones of these participants (one per participant). Participants entering treatment who have consented to research will be contacted by the research team with information on the study and be screened for eligibility. This screening will ask about their reassurance-seeking behaviours and OCD symptoms. If eligible and interested, they and their loved ones will be invited to a meeting (likely on Teams) to discuss the information sheet, answer questions, and sign consent forms. Consenting participants will then receive 4 weeks of sessions focused on reassurance-seeking when relevant to their therapy and asked to alternate the specific intervention for this weekly for homework. Participants will be asked to record daily ratings to measure effectiveness of the two interventions, and at the end of therapy both participants and their loved ones will be asked to provide ratings on acceptability, and rate various parts of the interventions. In part 2 of the study, both patients and their loved ones will be invited to take part in a qualitative interview to explore their experiences of the treatments for reassurance seeking. We will aim to recruit 12 participants for this part of the study. Study data will be aggregated with IAPT data prior to any dissemination outside of the research team (e.g., publication in peer-reviewed journal, presentation at conferences, etc). The results of this study will provide greater understanding of the effectiveness and acceptability of treatments for reassurance-seeking in OCD, which will have crucial implications for targeted training initiatives in iCope services.
REC name
West Midlands - Coventry & Warwickshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/WM/0201
Date of REC Opinion
14 Oct 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion