Cognitive therapy for compulsive checking in obsessive-compulsive disorder: A pilot trial. (April 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Radomsky, Adam S.; Giraldo-O'Meara, Martha; Wong, Shiu F.; Dugas, Michel J.; Gelfand, Laurie A.; Rachman, Stanley; Schell, Sarah; Senn, Jessica M.; Shafran, Roz; Whittal, Maureen L.
• Is Part Of: Psychiatry research. Volume 286(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-04
• Subjects: Obsessive-compulsive disorder -- Compulsive checking -- Cognitive therapy; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- periodicals; Psychiatrie -- Périodiques; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2020.112850
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0165-1781

Abstract

Highlights: A novel cognitive treatment for compulsive checking was provided. We examined the feasibility and acceptability of this treatment. Significant reductions in OCD symptoms with moderate to large effect sizes were found. High treatment acceptability was reported with only one participant dropout. The next step will be to validate this treatment in randomized controlled trials. Abstract: We evaluated a novel, empirically-based cognitive therapy for compulsive checking – a common form of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Twelve adults completed 12 sessions of the therapy. Significant reductions in checking-related symptoms were found pre- to post-treatment, and pre-treatment to 6-month follow-up (moderate to large effect sizes). Participants reported high treatment acceptability after the third session, which was maintained at post-treatment. This pilot trial provides preliminary support for treating compulsive checking using this novel cognitive approach.