Summary

Do you have OCD and are you starting therapy soon? This study looks at how people with OCD think, feel, and make decisions and how these are linked to your brain. You will answer questions and play simple computer games. What we learn may help improve care for people with OCD in the future.

What is the study about?

This study is for people with OCD who are about to start therapy. It looks at how people with OCD think and feel, and how this is linked to the brain.

If you take part, you will answer questions about your thoughts and feelings. You will also play simple computer games. These games look at how people make choices. Everything is safe, and you can take breaks if needed.

The study is done online, so you can take part from home. By taking part, you will help researchers learn more about OCD. This may help improve care and support for people with OCD in the future.

You do not need any special skills to take part.

What is the study trying to find out?

This study wants to learn more about OCD. It looks at how people with OCD think, feel, and make choices in everyday life. People will answer questions and play simple computer games. This helps show how thoughts and feelings are linked to the brain. By looking at answers from many people, the study aims to see what is common in OCD. What we learn may help improve care and support for people with OCD in the future.

What does taking part involve?

• You will take part online using a phone, tablet, or computer.
• Before you start, you will read a short page about the study.
• You will click a button to say you are happy to take part.
• The study is done in two sessions, with breaks in between.
• Each session takes around 3.5 hours, including breaks.
• You will answer questions about your thoughts, feelings, and daily life.
• You may also be asked to take part in a short interview where you talk about how you have been feeling.
• Interviews may be recorded, but only if you agree.
• You can ask for the recording to stop at any time.
• You do not have to answer any questions you do not want to answer.
• You will play simple computer games.
• In these games, you will make choices, such as picking between different options.
• In some games, you may earn points, which can sometimes be turned into money.
• Some games use sounds that may feel unpleasant. You will be told about this in advance, and you can choose whether to continue.
• You will receive at least £8.50 per hour as a thank-you for taking part.

Who is it for?

If you are aged 18–55, have a diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and are about to start therapy, you may be able to take part. You will need to be comfortable using a phone, tablet, or computer.

We hope that around 900 adults across the UK will take part.

Why is it important?

Some people find their feelings hard to manage. They may feel sad a lot, worry a lot, or find it hard to control how they act. This can make everyday life harder.

Not everyone has these problems. Some people do, and some people do not. We do not know why this happens.

This study is being done to help learn more. By taking part, people are helping researchers learn why these problems happen to some people and not others.

In this study, we look at people who have these problems and people who do not. By comparing them, we can learn more. What is learned may help people get better help and support in the future.

How can I find out more?

You can find out more information about taking part in this study by downloading the key documents at the top of this page.  

If you are interested in taking part in this study, or have questions for the research team please email us using the link: r&d@nelft.nhs.uk