Cognitive-behavioral therapy for PANDAS-related obsessive-compulsive disorder: findings from a preliminary waitlist controlled open trial

OBJECTIVE: To provide preliminary estimates of the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in treating pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) of the pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcus (PANDAS) subtype. METHOD: Seven children with OCD of the PANDAS subtype (range 9-13 years) were treated in a 3-week intensive CBT program conducted at a university clinic. Six of seven children were taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor medication(s) upon presentation. Assessments were conducted at four time points: baseline, pretreatment approximately 4 weeks later, posttreatment, and 3-month follow-up. Raters were blind to the nature of the study treatment. RESULTS: Six of seven participants were classified as treatment responders (much or very much improved) at posttreatment, and three of six remained responders at follow-up. Clinician severity ratings, as measured by the Children's Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale and Anxiety Disorder Interview Schedule for DSM-IV Child Interview Schedule-Parent version, decreased significantly following intervention, with effect sizes of 3.38 and 2.29, respectively. Self-reported general anxiety and depression symptoms were not significantly reduced. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides preliminary support for CBT in treating the PANDAS subtype of pediatric OCD. This approach is also considered a safe and minimally invasive treatment approach.     

Cognitive-behavioral therapy as an adjunct to serotonin reuptake inhibitors in obsessive-compulsive disorder: an open trial.

BACKGROUND: We report the results of an open trial of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) using exposure and ritual prevention as an adjunct to serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). We hypothesized that exposure and ritual prevention would significantly reduce OCD symptoms in patients who remained symptomatic despite an adequate trial of an SRI and enable patients to discontinue their medication. METHOD: OCD patients taking an adequate dose of an SRI > or = 12 weeks who remained symptomatic (i.e., a Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale [Y-BOCS] score > or = 16) were eligible. While taking a stable dose of an SRI, patients received 17 sessions of exposure and ritual prevention. For the intent-to-treat group, the paired t test was used to compare scores on the Y-BOCS, the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Global OCD scale, the Clinical Global Impressions scale, and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression before and after exposure and ritual prevention. RESULTS: Six of 7 eligible patients entered the study, and 5 completed it. All 6 improved on all OCD measures. The mean +/- SD Y-BOCS score was 23.8 +/- 2.6 prior to exposure and ritual prevention and 12.2 +/- 4.3 after it (p < .001). The mean percentage decrease on the Y-BOCS was 49% (range, 26%-61%). Patients were rated by the therapist and rated themselves as much (N = 4) or very much (N = 2) improved. Blood drug levels did not change in most patients during exposure and ritual prevention; thus, the improvement was attributed to this type of therapy. No patients discontinued their medication. CONCLUSION: This open trial suggests that CBT using exposure and ritual prevention can lead to a significant reduction in OCD symptoms in patients who remain symptomatic despite an adequate trial of an SRI.     

Cognitive-behavioral group therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder: a 1-year follow-up

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of cognitive-behavioral group therapy (CBGT) for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) over a 1-year follow-up period. METHOD: Forty-two OCD patients, who completed 12 sessions of CBGT, were followed for 1 year. Measures of the severity of symptoms were obtained at the end of the acute treatment and at 3, 6, and 12 months post-treatment using the Yale-Brown obsessive-compulsive scale (Y-BOCS) and the clinical global impression (CGI). RESULTS: The reduction in the severity of symptoms observed at the end of the treatment was maintained during 1 year (F2,41=1.1; P=0.342). Eleven patients (35.5%) relapsed in the follow-up period. The intensity of improvement (log rank=12.97, GL=1, P=0.0003) and full remission (log rank=6.17; GL=1; P=0.001) were strong predictors for non-relapsing. CONCLUSION: The CBGT is an effective treatment for OCD and its results are maintained for 1 year. However, further long-term randomized controlled trials are needed in order to confirm this finding.     

Cognitive-behavioral family treatment of childhood obsessive-compulsive disorder: a controlled trial

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relative efficacy of (1) individual cognitive-behavioral family-based therapy (CBFT); (2) group CBFT; and (3) a waitlist control group in the treatment of childhood obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). METHOD: This study, conducted at a university clinic in Brisbane, Australia, involved 77 children and adolescents with OCD who were randomized to individual CBFT, group CBFT, or a 4- to 6-week waitlist control condition. Children were assessed before and after treatment and at 3 months and 6 months following the completion of treatment using diagnostic interviews, symptom severity interviews, and self-report measures. Parental distress, family functioning, sibling distress, and levels of accommodation to OCD demands were also assessed. Active treatment involved a manualized 14-week cognitive-behavioral protocol, with parental and sibling components. RESULTS: By an evaluable patient analysis, statistically and clinically significant pretreatment-to-posttreatment change occurred in OCD diagnostic status and severity across both individual and group CBFT, with no significant differences in improvement ratings between these conditions. There were no significant changes across measures for the waitlist condition. Treatment gains were maintained up to 6 months of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Contrary to previous findings and expectations, group CBFT is as effective in reducing OCD symptoms for children and adolescents as individual treatment. Findings support the efficacy and durability of CBFT in treating childhood OCD.     

An open trial of group metacognitive therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder

Research supporting the metacognitive model of OCD (Wells, A. (2000). Emotional disorders and metacognitions: Innovative cognitive therapy. West Sussex, UK: John Wiley & Sons; Wells, A. (1997). Cognitive therapy of anxiety disorders: A practice manual and conceptual guide. Chichester, UK: John Wiley and Sons) is beginning to accumulate Metacognitive Therapy (MCT) aims to teach clients to shift to a ‘metacognitive mode’ and incorporates cognitive strategies and behavioural experiments, with the aim of modifying maladaptive metacognitive beliefs rather than the content of anxious beliefs themselves. The current paper reports on a preliminary study, applying MCT in a clinical group setting with eight adults suffering from a variety of OCD presentations. Promising results indicate a larger randomised controlled trial, with recovery achieved for seven of the eight participants on the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale at 3-month follow-up. All participants demonstrated improvement on measures of OCD symptom severity and metacognitions.     

Cognitive-behavioral therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder in children and adolescents

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common, chronic, and impairing condition in youth. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), now widely recognized as the gold standard intervention for childhood OCD, relies on exposure and response prevention, and also includes psychoeducation, creation of a symptom hierarchy, imaginal exposures, cognitive interventions, and a contingency management system. This article reviews the theoretical underpinnings of current CBT approaches, key components of treatment, developmental considerations specific to childhood OCD, and evidence supporting the use of this psychosocial intervention. The current state of knowledge will be aided by further study of predictors and mechanisms of CBT treatment response.     

Cognitive-behavioral therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder: a non-randomized comparison of intensive and weekly approaches

This study examined the relative efficacy of intensive versus weekly cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for adults with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Sixty-two adults with OCD received either 14 sessions of weekly (n=30) or intensive CBT (n=32; daily psychotherapy sessions) in a non-randomized format. Assessments were conducted at Pre-treatment, Post-treatment, and 3-month Follow-up by raters who were blind to treatment group at the Pre-treatment assessment. Intensive and weekly CBT were similar in efficacy at Post-treatment and Follow-up and associated with large treatment effect sizes. Since many people with OCD do not have access to trained CBT providers, intensive treatment may be a viable option in such cases.     

High-dose sertraline strategy for nonresponders to acute treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder: a multicenter double-blind trial

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of high-dose sertraline for patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) who failed to respond to standard sertraline acute treatment. METHOD: Sixty-six nonresponders to 16 weeks of sertraline treatment who met DSM-III-R criteria for current OCD were randomly assigned, in a double-blind continuation phase of a multicenter trial, either to continue on 200 mg/day of sertraline or to increase their dose to between 250 and 400 mg/day for 12 additional weeks. Efficacy measures included the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (YBOCS), the National Institute of Mental Health Global Obsessive Compulsive Scale (NIMH Global OC Scale), and the Clinical Global Impressions-Severity of Illness and -Improvement (CGI-I) scales. Data were collected from July 26, 1994, to October 26, 1995. RESULTS: The high-dose (250-400 mg/day, mean final dose = 357, SD = 60, N = 30) group showed significantly greater symptom improvement than the 200-mg/day group (N = 36) as measured by the YBOCS (p = .033), NIMH Global OC Scale (p = .003), and CGI-I (p = .011). Responder rates (decrease in YBOCS score of > or = 25% and a CGI-I rating < or = 3) were not significantly different for the 200-mg/day versus the high-dose sertraline group, either on completer analysis, 34% versus 52%, or on endpoint analysis, 33% versus 40%. Both treatments showed similar adverse event rates. CONCLUSION: Greater symptom improvement was seen in the high-dose sertraline group compared to the 200-mg/day dose group during continuation treatment. Both dosages yielded similar safety profiles. Administration of higher than labeled doses of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors may be a treatment option for certain OCD patients who fail to respond to standard acute treatment.     

强迫症团体认知行为治疗与药物治疗的随机对照研究

目的分析团体认知行为治疗(group cognitive-behavioral therapy,GCBT)对强迫症患者的疗效。方法本研究采用随机对照试验设计,与常规抗强迫药物治疗做对照。将符合入组标准的94例未用药强迫症患者,采用Excel软件中的RAND函数产生随机数字表形成随机分组序列的简单随机分组法,随机分为GCBT组(47例)和药物治疗组(47例)。经12周的结构化GCBT治疗和常规抗强迫药物治疗,采用t检验、卡方检验和方差分析比较2组间Y-BOCS、HAMA14和HAMD24平均减分率和减分值的差异。结果(1)2组基线Y-BOCS及HAMA14评分差异无统计学意义(t=0.281,P=0.779;t=0.795,P=0.429),但GCBT组HAMD24评分显著低于药物治疗组(t=2.316,P<0.05)。2组各有16例患者退出治疗,总脱落率为34%(32/94)。(2)12周治疗结束时,2组患者的Y-BOCS评分较基线显著降低,GCBT组和药物治疗组治疗前后Y-BOCS平均减分率[(37.0±27.4)%比(45.5±22.9)%]和平均减分值[(9.0±6.3)分比(11.0±5.8)分]比较差异无统计学意义[F(1,62)=0.069,P=0.794;F(1,62)=0.001,P=0.975]。GCBT组和药物治疗组的有效率和治愈率差异无统计学意义(χ^2=1.653,P=0.199;χ^2=0.088,P=0.767)。(3)GCBT组HAMA14减分率和减分值与药物治疗组治疗前后比较差异无统计学意义(t=-0.922,P=0.362;t=1.082,P=0.286)。(4)GCBT组HAMD24减分率与药物治疗组治疗前后比较差异无统计学意义,但药物治疗组HAMD24减分值显著高于GCBT组(t=2.239,P=0.029)。结论GCBT与常规抗强迫药物治疗强迫症患者的强迫和焦虑症状的疗效相当,常规药物治疗对抑郁症状的疗效优于GCBT。     

An open trial of buspirone in obsessive-compulsive disorder

Of 14 patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder who entered an 8-week open trial of buspirone, none improved. The ineffectiveness of buspirone may shed light on the serotonergic hypothesis that has been proposed for this disorder.     

Mirtazapine for obsessive-compulsive disorder: an open trial followed by double-blind discontinuation

BACKGROUND: Many patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) experience little response to standard treatment with serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Mirtazapine enhances serotonergic function by a mechanism distinct from reuptake inhibition. Because a pilot study suggested effectiveness of mirtazapine in OCD, we conducted a controlled trial. METHOD: We recruited 30 subjects, 15 treatmentnaive and 15 treatment-experienced, with DSM-IV OCD of > or =1 year's duration and a Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (YBOCS) score of > or =20. In the 12-week, open-label phase, subjects received mirtazapine starting at 30 mg/day and titrated over 2 weeks as tolerated to 60 mg/day. At week 12, responders (YBOCS score decrease > 25%) were randomly assigned, double-blind, to continue mirtazapine or switch to placebo for 8 weeks, including a 1-week, double-blind taper week for placebo subjects. RESULTS: In the open-label phase, the mean +/-SD YBOCS score fell from 28.3 +/-3.7 to 20.3 +/-8.5 (paired samples t = 4.81, p < .0001). Four subjects (13.3%) discontinued for side effects. Sixteen subjects (53.3%) (8 treatmentnaive, 8 treatment-experienced) were responders and 15 agreed to randomization. Response was independent of comorbid mood disorders. In the 8-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled discontinuation phase, the mirtazapine group's mean YBOCS score fell a mean +/-SD of 2.6 +/-8.7 points while the placebo group's mean score rose a mean +/-SD of 9.1 +/-7.5 points (Mann Whitney U = 6.5, p = .005, 1-tailed). All other outcome measures were consistent with mirtazapine's superiority versus placebo. CONCLUSION: Mirtazapine may be an effective pharmacotherapy for OCD. If our results are replicated, larger double-blind studies would be indicated.     

Citalopram intravenous infusion in resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder: an open trial

BACKGROUND: Treatment with intravenous clomipramine is rapidly effective in some obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) patients unresponsive to orally administered serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs). The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor citalopram is effective for OCD when administered orally. We investigated whether intravenous citalopram would rapidly benefit OCD patients unresponsive to orally administered SRIs. METHOD: Thirty-nine adult outpatients participated in a 3-week open-label trial of intravenous citalopram. Eligible patients had moderate-to-severe DSM-IV OCD of > or = 1 year's duration, a baseline Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (YBOCS) score > or = 25, and no other active Axis I diagnosis and had failed at least 2 adequate oral SRI trials, excluding citalopram. Intravenous citalopram was administered daily for 21 days, followed by oral citalopram until treatment day 84. Intravenous citalopram was started at 20 mg/day and was increased to 40 to 80 mg/day as tolerated. RESULTS: Intravenous citalopram was well tolerated even at higher doses (dropout rate = 2.6%). At day 21, 23 (59%) of the 39 patients had YBOCS score decreases of > or = 25%, of whom 4 had decreases of > or = 35%. Twenty-seven patients with YBOCS score decreases of > or = 20% were allowed to continue on treatment with oral citalopram, and by day 84, all had substantial further improvement. All 27 patients also showed significant improvement in several dimensions of quality of life. CONCLUSION: Intravenous citalopram was safe and rapidly effective in a group of treatment-resistant OCD patients. The early onset of response suggests a means of accelerating OCD symptom relief and predicting response to oral citalopram treatment. Double-blind, double-dummy, placebo-controlled trials of intravenous versus oral citalopram in patients with treatment-resistant OCD are indicated.     

Cognitive-behavioral family treatment of childhood obsessive-compulsive disorder: preliminary findings

The effectiveness of a 14-week cognitive-behavioral family treatment protocol for childhood obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) was piloted using a volunteer sample of seven children aged 10-14 years. The primary outcome measures were diagnostic status, symptom severity, and global functioning which were assessed at pre- and post-treatment, and at three-month follow-up. A series of self-report measures assessing obsessive-compulsive symptomatology, depression, and family factors were also completed at pre- and post-treatment. The results indicated that six participants no longer met criteria for OCD at post-treatment, with a mean reduction of 60% in symptom severity. Self-reported obsessive-compulsive symptomatology and family involvement in the disorder also significantly decreased across time. The findings support the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral treatment with a structured family component for childhood OCD. Further research investigating the comparative efficacy of treatment with and without family involvement is warranted.     

Cognitive-behavioral therapy for panic: an open study

This paper reports results of an open prospective study of 26 patients who met DSM-III criteria for panic disorder or agoraphobia with panic attacks. Cognitive-behavioral treatment alone produced clinically and statistically significant improvement in panic symptoms, including both full-blown and limited symptom episodes. In addition, the treatment produced improvement in associated symptoms of phobic avoidance and generalized anxiety. This work provides further preliminary indication of the usefulness of cognitive-behavioral strategies as an alternative to medication in symptom-oriented treatments.     

Cognitive behavior therapy in medication non-responders with obsessive-compulsive disorder: a prospective 1-year follow-up study

Evidence of efficacy of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) in obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) non-responsive to multiple trials of serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRI) is limited. We examined the efficacy of CBT in 31 adult patients with DSM-IV OCD who were non-responders to at least two SRI trials. They received 20–25 sessions of CBT over 3-month duration. The primary outcome measure was “response” to treatment [Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement score 1 or 2 and ≥35% reduction in Yale-Brown Obsessive–Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) severity score]. Patients were assessed at baseline, post-treatment and at 3-, 6- and 12-month follow-up. Twenty-six (84%) patients completed treatment and number of responders at post-treatment, 3-, 6- and 12-month follow-up were 23 (74%), 20 (64%), 20 (64%) and 19 (61%) respectively. Quality of homework compliance and baseline Y-BOCS severity predicted remission (Y-BOCS < 16) to CBT. CBT is useful in OCD non-responsive to multiple trials of SRI.     

Open trial of cognitive behavior therapy for childhood obsessive-compulsive disorder

Examined the utility of CBT for childhood obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) including a preliminary exploration of predictors of response to this form of treatment. A total of 42 youngsters (mean age 11.8 years, 60% female, 52% on medication at baseline) with DSM-IV OCD were treated openly using a developmentally sensitive treatment protocol based on exposure plus response prevention (ERP). The treatment response rate (CGI < 2) was 79% with a mean decrease from baseline in NIMH global scores of 45%. Response was not related to age, gender, baseline medication status, comorbid symptomatology, or therapist experience. Poorer outcome was associated with more severe obsessions and greater OCD-related academic impairment at baseline. When presented in a developmentally appropriate manner, CBT is a useful treatment for childhood OCD. Controlled trials are needed to provide a more rigorous test of this treatment approach and provide better information regarding potential mediators and moderators of outcome.     

Dialectical behavior therapy for adolescents with bipolar disorder: a 1-year open trial

OBJECTIVE: To describe an adapted version of dialectical behavior therapy for adolescents with bipolar disorder. METHOD: The dialectical behavior therapy intervention is delivered over 1 year and consists of two modalities: family skills training (conducted with individual family units) and individual therapy. The acute treatment period (6 months) includes 24 weekly sessions; sessions alternate between the two treatment modalities. Continuation treatment consists of 12 additional sessions tapering in frequency through 1 year. We conducted an open pilot trial of the treatment, designed as an adjunct to pharmacological management, to establish feasibility and acceptability of the treatment for this population. Participants included 10 patients (mean age 15.8 +/- 1.5 years, range 14-18) receiving treatment in an outpatient pediatric bipolar specialty clinic. Symptom severity and functioning were assessed quarterly by an independent evaluator. Consumer satisfaction was also assessed posttreatment. RESULTS: Feasibility and acceptability of the intervention were high, with 9 of 10 patients completing treatment, 90% of scheduled sessions attended, and high treatment satisfaction ratings. Patients exhibited significant improvement from pre- to posttreatment in suicidality, nonsuicidal self-injurious behavior, emotional dysregulation, and depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Dialectical behavior therapy may offer promise as an approach to the psychosocial treatment of adolescent bipolar disorder.     

An open trial of videoconference-mediated exposure and ritual prevention for obsessive-compulsive disorder

The gold-standard treatment for OCD is exposure and ritual prevention (ERP), yet despite its well-established efficacy, only a small percentage of OCD patients have access to this treatment. Remote treatments (e.g., videoconferencing) are becoming increasingly popular avenues for treatment delivery and show promise in increasing patient access to evidence-based mental health care. The current pilot study utilized an open trial to examine the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of videoconference-mediated, twice weekly, ERP for adults (n = 15) with OCD. Results revealed that ERP was associated with significant improvements in OCD symptoms and large within-group effect sizes. Among the 10 individuals who completed a 3-month follow-up assessment, 30% of participants no longer met DSM-IV-TR criteria for OCD and 80% of participants were rated as very much or much improved on the CGI. This study adds to the growing body of literature suggesting that videoconference-based interventions are viable alternatives to face-to-face treatment.