ERP Plus Improv Group Therapy for OCD (IMPROVE Study)

Last updated: May 27, 2025
Sponsor: Stanford University
Overall Status: Completed

Phase

N/A

Condition

Anxiety Disorders

Obsessive-compulsive Disorder

Panic Disorders

Treatment

Group Improv sessions

ERP + improv group psychotherapy

Group Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) Therapy

Clinical Study ID

NCT06265233
69668
  • Ages > 18
  • All Genders

Study Summary

The goal of this study is to pilot test a novel group therapy intervention for adults with OCD.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

  • At least 18 years of age

  • Ability to speak and understand English

  • Clinical diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Current active suicidality

  • Medical or psychiatric illness that could interfere with study participation

Study Design

Total Participants: 7
Treatment Group(s): 3
Primary Treatment: Group Improv sessions
Phase:
Study Start date:
November 19, 2024
Estimated Completion Date:
April 18, 2025

Study Description

The intervention will incorporate exposure and response prevention (ERP) with improvisational comedy ("improv") activities. ERP is the gold-standard treatment for OCD. Improv comedy is a type of theater in which actors perform without a script. This study aims to evaluate whether the intervention is helpful for reducing OCD symptoms and intolerance of uncertainty (a mechanism maintaining OCD). It will also explore whether the intervention is feasible and acceptable.

During the group therapy sessions, participants will engage with improv comedy exercises that have been adapted to function as exposures for different types of OCD. Participants will:

  • attend an ERP + improv group therapy intervention (90-minute sessions for 12 weeks)

  • complete homework in-between sessions

  • answer questions

  • complete questionnaires.

Connect with a study center

  • 401 Quarry

    Stanford, California 94304
    United States

    Site Not Available

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