Psychological Treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in Children and Adolescents: a Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Abstract. Although several meta-analyses have investigated the efficacy of psychological treatments for pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), there is not yet a consensus on the most efficacious treatment components. A meta-analysis was carried out to examine the efficacy of the different treatment techniques used in the psychological interventions of pediatric OCD. An exhaustive literature search from 1983 to February 2014 enabled us to locate 46 published articles that applied some kind of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). For each group the effect size was the standardized pretest-posttest mean change, and it was calculated for obsessive-compulsive symptoms and for other outcome measures. The results clearly showed large effect sizes for CBT in reducing obsessive-compulsive symptoms and, to a lesser extent, other outcome measures (d + = 1.860; 95% CI: 1.639; 2.081). The most promising treatments are those based on multicomponent programs comprising ERP, cognitive strategies, and relapse prevention. The analysis of other potential moderator variables and the implications for clinical practice are discussed.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder in the perinatal period: Epidemiology, phenomenology, pathogenesis, and treatment. [Trastorno obsesivo-compulsivo durante el período perinatal: epidemiología, fenomenología, etiopatogenia y tratamiento]

“…With regard to psychotherapeutic interventions, treatments empirically validated in general population with OCD have been usually used, mainly cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) (Rosa-Alcázar, Sánchez, Gómez, & Marín, 2008). As in psychotropic interventions, there is no clinical trial with control group where the efficiency of CBT has been assessed in patients with pOCD.…”

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) In Childhood and Adolescence

“…CBT may be carried out on an individual or family basis and contains numerous elements, such as psychoeducation, hierarchy building, exposure with response prevention (EX/RP), cognitive strategies, reward programs, family/parent training, and relapse prevention [24]. Psychologic disorders of childhood and adolescence such as OCD largely remain undiagnosed until significant problems occur later in life related to impaired school or social functioning and early careers [25].…”

Treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders

“…Meta-analyses of controlled psychotherapy studies in OCD have provided evidence for the efficacy of behaviour therapy-based ERP alone, cognitive restructuring alone, and ERP plus cognitive restructuring [46]. As such, CBT can be considered a first-line intervention for OCD.…”