Exposure and response prevention (ERP) is the first-line psychological treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Recent research shows that the Bergen 4-day Treatment (B4DT), which is a concentrated ERP program, can be very effective. However, this intensive format has not been widely implemented, and it is unclear whether positive outcomes are unique to B4DT, or whether a similar intensive ERP program (not based on B4DT) is equally effective. We examined short- and long-term outcomes of the Melbourne Intensive Treatment-OCD (MIT-O) program, an out-patient intensive ERP program for OCD involving an intensive phase of four full-day sessions conducted over two weeks, and a supportive 21-day phase involving self-directed tasks and twice-a-week check-in calls with the therapy team. Participants were 21 individuals with OCD. The severity of OCD, depression, anxiety, stress, obsessive beliefs, and emotion regulation difficulties were assessed at four time points (pre-treatment, post-treatment, 6-month, and 12-month follow-up). Results showed a large and significant decrease in OCD and obsessive beliefs at post-treatment. These improvements were maintained at 12-month follow-up. Using international consensus criteria for treatment response, almost all participants (90.5%) showed at least partial treatment response and one-third were in remission at the final assessment. These results showed that the MIT-O program was effective, but post-treatment and 12-month remission rates were somewhat less favourable than previously published results from the B4DT program. Nevertheless, the MIT-O post-treatment outcomes were comparable to other CBT programs for OCD and should be considered when other longer term treatment formats such as in-patient treatments are not feasible.

1. (1) To evaluate the effectiveness of an intensive exposure and response prevention program in reducing obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms.

2. (2) To examine the long-term maintenance of treatment gains at 6-month and 12-month follow-up assessments.

3. (3) To report the treatment response rate and remission outcomes achieved through the intensive format.

4. (4) To consider the broader implementation of intensive exposure and response prevention programs as an alternative format for OCD treatment.

Young adults with a psychotic disorder often experience difficulties in social functioning. We developed a modular virtual reality treatment to improve social activities and participation by targeting common causes of social functioning difficulties in patients with a psychotic disorder (VR-SOAP). This paper details the development of this intervention, encompassing a piloting phase.

Using an iterative Scrum method with software engineers, clinicians, researchers, and individuals with lived experience of psychosis, we developed a treatment protocol along with a software prototype. Subsequently five patients with a psychotic disorder, aged 18–40, and three therapists, piloted VR-SOAP. Feasibility was assessed by means of interviews and session forms. Acceptability was evaluated along the seven domains of the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability (i.e. affective attitude, burden, ethicality, intervention coherence, opportunity costs, self-efficacy, and perceived effectiveness).

The final protocol consisted of the following modules and targets: 1. Motivation and Pleasure (negative symptoms); 2. Understanding Others (social cognition); 3. Safety and Trust (paranoid ideations and social anxiety); 4. Self-Image (self-esteem and self-stigma); 5. Communication (communication and interaction skills). Modules were piloted by the participating patients and therapists. The modules proved feasible and showed a high degree of acceptability on all seven domains of the acceptability framework.

The modular VR-SOAP treatment protocol and prototype was acceptable and feasible for therapists and patients. The primary recommendation for enhancement underscores the need for flexibility regarding the number of sessions and the content.

1. (1) Understanding the development and structure of a novel modular CBT treatment in VR.

2. (2) Learning to use specific VR modules to target negative symptoms, social cognition, paranoid ideations, social anxiety, self-esteem, and communication skills.

3. (3) Gaining insights into the feasibility and acceptability assessments of a novel modular CBT treatment in VR.