Group cognitive behavioural therapy for outpatients with obsessive-compulsive disorder in a psychiatric service in Italy

Abstract

Introduction

Group Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (GCBT) is a cost-effective modality of treatment alternative to individual Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Despite several well-controlled trials demonstrated the efficacy of GCBT for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), few studies evaluated the effectiveness of GCBT on outpatients attending routinary psychiatric services, and in Italy this topic appears understudied.

Objectives

The current study evaluated the effectiveness of a GCBT protocol on OCD symptoms and comorbid depression and anxiety in a group of outpatients attending a psychiatric service in Italy.

Method

Twenty outpatients with a diagnosis of OCD were included in the study and received 20 sessions of GCBT, consisting of psychoeducation on anxiety and OCD, relaxation training, in vivo/imaginal exposure and response prevention, cognitive restructuring for obsessive beliefs, cognitive defusion, and assertiveness training. The Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) were administered at pre- and post-treatment.

Results

Two outpatients had a comorbid bipolar disorder, eight had a concurrent personality disorder. Ten outpatients were on concurrent antidepressants, five on antipsychotics. Three outpatients prematurely dropped out from treatment. Among completers, GCBT produced significant changes on OCD symptoms, anxiety and depression from pre- to post-treatment. The GCBT protocol was feasible and the outpatients reported high satisfaction judgements.

Conclusions

Future studies should investigate clinical predictors of best response after GCBT and assess maintenance of symptom changes at long-term follow-up.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.