Efficacy of intensive CBT telehealth for obsessive-compulsive disorder during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Despite evidence for the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), many individuals with OCD lack access to needed behavioral health treatment. Although some literature suggests that virtual modes of treatment for OCD are effective, it remains unclear whether intensive programs like partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs (PHP and IOPs) can be delivered effectively over telehealth (TH) and within the context of a global pandemic. Limited extant research suggests that clinicians perceive attenuated treatment response during the pandemic. The trajectory and outcomes of two matched samples were compared using linear mixed modeling: a pre-COVID in-person (IP) sample ( n = 239) and COVID TH sample ( n = 239). Findings suggested that both modalities are effective at treating OCD and depressive symptoms, although the pandemic TH group required an additional 2.6 treatment days. The current study provides evidence that PHP and IOP treatment delivered via TH during the COVID-19 pandemic is approximately as effective as pre-pandemic IP treatment and provides promising findings for the future that individuals with complicated OCD who do not have access to IP treatment can still experience significant improvement in symptoms through TH PHP and IOP treatment during and potentially after the pandemic.

Leveraging technology to increase the disseminability of evidence‐based treatment of dental fear: An uncontrolled pilot study

“…Although virtual facilitation of the 1:1 psychological treatment session initially occurred in response to the COVID‐19 pandemic, we found no difference relative to face‐to‐face sessions. Moreover, research has since corroborated few, if any, differences in the effectiveness of exposure‐based treatments delivered via telehealth or in‐person [39, 40]. As hypothesized, users found the stepped‐care treatment to be highly usable, credible, and helpful.…”

Response to anxiety treatment before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic

“…On the other hand, one study found that individuals who received Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for social anxiety disorder prior to the pandemic, benefited from enduring effects [ 19 ]. Similarly, in another study of patients with severe obsessive-compulsive disorder, the trajectory and outcomes of intensive CBT was similar among those receiving treatment prior to vs. during the pandemic [ 20 ]. These findings are encouraging, and may suggest that the acquisition of cognitive and behavioral skills is a harbinger of better mental health, even in the context of uniquely high worldwide stress.…”

The impact of COVID-19 on treatment seeking and interest in internet-based therapy for anxiety-related disorders: An interrupted time-series analysis

“…Technology based treatments, both synchronous and asynchronous, offer an opportunity to respond to increased demand by expanding access to those in need of psychiatric care ( Greenwood et al, 2022 ; Lindsay et al, 2014 ; Silver et al, 2021 ; Young & Badowski, 2017 ). Several studies supported the use of internet-based technologies to improve access to mental health services for individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD; Acierno et al, 2017 ; Morland et al, 2017 ; Sloan et al, 2011 ), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD; Aboujaoude, 2017 ; Pinciotti et al, 2022 ), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD; Durland et al, 2014 ), and social anxiety disorder (SAD; Graziano et al, 2021 ; Isautier et al, 2020 ; Kraus et al, 2021 ; Nauphal et al, 2021 ; Reay et al, 2020 ). The transition to technology-based treatments has led to improvements in access to treatment.…”