Individual versus group cognitive behavioral treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder: Follow up

Abstract

Aim: To compare the effectiveness of two forms of cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT; group and individual) in a sample of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) at 6-month and 12-month follow up. Method: Thirty-eight subjects meeting DSM-IV-TR OCD criteria completed 20 sessions of individual and group CBT. They were assessed using the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale and the Hamilton Anxiety and Depression Scales at baseline, after treatment and at 6-month and 12-month follow up. Results: The clinical improvement obtained at the end of the treatment was maintained at 6-month and 12-month follow up. The clinical outcome of the individual treatment (IT) and the group treatment (GT) was the same. The dropout rates were significantly higher in women than in men, but were similar for IT and GT. Conclusions: CBT was effective in a sample of OCD patients. Individual and group CBT had similar results at 6-month and 12-month follow up. The clinical implications of these findings are discussed. © 2008 The Authors.