Cognitive-behavior therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder: A systematic review of the last decade

Abstract

Objective: To perform a systematic review of controlled trials and meta-analysis that involved cognitive and/or behavioral treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder. Method: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials and meta-analysis published on the last decade and indexed on Medline and PsycInfo. Results: Studies have confirmed that exposure and response prevention and cognitive therapy are effective methods for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder in children, adolescents and adults. Among adults, the combined use of serotonin-reuptake inhibitors and exposure and response prevention or cognitive therapy was not associated with any additional therapeutic effect. Among children, the combination of serotonin-reuptake inhibitors and exposure and response prevention are superior to either treatment alone. Exposure and response prevention associated with cognitive therapy may result in significant benefits to patients with predominant obsessive thoughts and its group modality also reduces obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Conclusion: At the present time, cognitive and behavioral therapies have shown to be highly effective psychotherapeutic approaches for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Nevertheless, more studies are still needed, mainly those focusing on long-term follow-up, group-treatment and the combined use with serotonin-reuptake inhibitors.