A cognitive behavioral workshop for subclinical obsessions and compulsions

Behav Res Ther. 2006 Feb;44(2):289-304. doi: 10.1016/j.brat.2005.03.015. Epub 2005 Dec 22.

Abstract

The present study investigates the effectiveness of a 3-h cognitive behavioral workshop for individuals, ages 18-22, with subclinical obsessions and compulsions. It was hypothesized that, compared to individuals in an assessment-only waitlist group (n = 42), individuals assigned to the workshop group (n = 43) would experience a significant decrease in obsessive-compulsive (OC) symptomatology, comorbidity, and thought action fusion endorsement at 1-month and 5-month follow-up assessments. An additional outcome of interest was the number of incident cases of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) over the course of the study. The results indicated that the workshop group reported a significantly fewer number of OC symptoms at 5-month follow-up and endorsed significantly less thought action fusion at both follow-up points. However, there were no differences between groups in severity of OC symptoms and number of comorbid diagnoses endorsed. Only one incident case of OCD was observed during the study, from a participant in the waitlist group. These results are discussed in reference to treatment of subclinical anxiety symptoms.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / methods*
  • Compulsive Behavior / therapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Obsessive Behavior / therapy*
  • Patient Education as Topic / methods
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Psychotherapy, Group / methods*
  • Treatment Outcome