Cognitive Training via a Mobile Application to Reduce Obsessive-Compulsive-Related Distress and Cognitions During the COVID-19 Outbreaks: A Randomized Controlled Trial Using a Subclinical Cohort

Abstract

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a persistent psychiatric disorder causing significant impairment in functioning. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated OCD-related symptoms and interrupted access to treatment. Recent research suggests mHealth apps are promising tools for coping with OCD symptoms. This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effects of a CBT-based mobile application designed to reduce OCD symptoms and cognitions in community participants considered at high-risk of developing OCD symptoms. Following initial screening ( n =924), fifty-five community participants scoring 2 standard deviations above the OCI-R mean were randomized into two groups. In the immediate-app use group (iApp; n =25), participants started using the application at baseline (T0), 4min a day, for 12 days (T0 - T1). Participants in the delayed-app group (dApp; n =20) started using the mobile application at T1 (crossover) and used the app for the following 12 consecutive days (T1 - T2). Intention to treat analyses indicated that using the app for 12 consecutive days was associated with large effect-size reductions (Cohen’s d ranging from .87 to 2.73) in OCD symptoms and maladaptive cognitions in the iApp group (from T0 to T1) and dApp group (from T1 to T2). These reductions were maintained at follow-up. Our findings underscore the usefulness of brief, low-intensity, portable interventions in reducing OCD symptoms and cognitions during the pandemic.

A mobile app to challenge obsessional beliefs in adolescents: a protocol of a two-armed, parallel randomized controlled trial

“…In general, for the adult population, Roncero et al [18,21] showed that daily cognitive training using the GGtude platform for OCD (OC and RO modules) decreases OCD-related maladaptive beliefs. Similarly, Cerea et al [22] and Akin-Sari et al [23], replicated these results in participants with subclinical levels of relationship-related-OCD symptoms and OCD symptoms, respectively. Findings also suggest that challenging maladaptive beliefs impacts OCD symptoms.…”

A mobile app to challenge obsessional beliefs in adolescents: A protocol of a two-armed, parallel randomized controlled trial

“…Similarly, using cross-over designs, Roncero et al (21) and Cerea et al (22) also observed reductions in OCD symptoms (using the Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory -Reduced; OCI-R) after the use of the app. In the same vein, Akin-Sari et al (23) reported a large reduction in the OCI-R scores of participants at risk of OCD, which could be attributable to the effect of the app, suggesting that the OC module could be a promising tool for early intervention in OCD. Finally, Pascual-Vera et al (24), provide evidence in favor of these assumptions in clinical samples.…”

Digital Therapeutics for Insomnia: Assessing the Effectiveness of a Computerized Home-Based Cognitive Stimulation Program

“…In the field of sleep disturbances, cognitive stimulation is expected to improve cognitive inhibition ability and thus reduce alertness and monitoring of disruptive stimuli during sleep. At the same time, reasoning capacity is strengthened, and the presence of arousing, anxious, worrying, or distressing thoughts is reduced [15][16][17][18][19].…”