Smartphone App-induced Habit: A treatment ingredient in HRT for OCD
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigating the feasibility of inducing a non-maladaptive habit using mobile app technology, as a novel interventional component of habit reversal therapy (HRT) for treating obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
IRAS ID
233606
Contact name
Naomi Fineberg
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
HPFT
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 8 months, 30 days
Research summary
This study examines the use of an induced non-maladaptive habit as a form of treatment for compulsions in obsessive compulsive behaviour. Participants will be trained to develop a finger sequential movement habit, (similar to practising piano playing with one hand), using a mobile phone-based finger sequential movement exercise application. Once the participants have mastered this new exercise habit and are able to do the finger sequential configuration automatically without thinking about how to do it or the aid of the mobile phone App, they are then encouraged to use this habit whenever they have an overwhelming urge to engage in the OCD compulsion, and in particular in the situation that triggers the OCD compulsions. This new habit should act as an optimally accessible and available competing motor response that the patient can easily apply during the administration of HRT enhanced ERP in OCD, and thereby act to facilitate the inhibition of compulsions as the ultimate goal of therapy.
REC name
East of England - Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/EE/0281
Date of REC Opinion
23 Nov 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion