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Study aim
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To investigate the effectiveness of EEG-based neurofeedback (NFB) treatment versus current treatments for the improvement in symptoms among OCD patient
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Design
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Randomised, parallel group, superiority trial with four arms.
Sample size: 80 OCD patients.
Randomisation: Centralised and computerised using random number generator software.
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Settings and conduct
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The trial will be conducted in the Psychiatry Unit at Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar.
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Participants/Inclusion and exclusion criteria
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Inclusion Criteria:
1. OCD patients diagnosed according to DSM-V criteria.
2. Age range: 18–40 years.
Exclusion Criteria:
1. Neurological conditions such as stroke, head injury, epilepsy, or dementia.
2. Severe medical conditions (e.g., hepatic or renal failure).
3. History of psycho-surgery or neurosurgical procedures.
4. Substance abuse or drug dependence.
5. Psychiatric comorbidities including schizophrenia, psychosis, or delusional disorders.
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Intervention groups
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There will be four intervention groups with equal participants (n=20 each), randomly assigned:
Group A: Treatment as usual (psychopharmacological treatment only).
Group B: Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (MBCT) + psychopharmacological treatment.
Group C: EEG-based Neurofeedback (NFB) + psychopharmacological treatment.
Group D: Combined MBCT and NFB treatment.
All participants, except Group A, will undergo 12 weekly sessions of therapy (MBCT: 50 mins; NFB: 30 mins + prep time).
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Main outcome variables
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Primary Outcome:
1. Reduction in OCD symptom severity, assessed using the Yale Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (YBOCS).
Secondary Outcomes:
1. Levels of depression, anxiety, and stress (DASS-21).
2. Insight and belief delusionality (Brown Assessment of Belief Scale).
3. Childhood trauma severity (MACE).
4. Biomarker levels (IL-6, IL-Iβ, C-reactive protein).