Cognitive behavior therapy for comorbid obsessive-compulsive disorder in high-functioning autism spectrum disorders:...

Area of Science:

• Neurodevelopmental Disorders
• Psychiatry
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is frequently comorbid with anxiety disorders, especially Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
• Group Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) shows efficacy for anxiety in ASD but lacks specificity for OCD.
• Previous studies indicate potential benefits of individual CBT for OCD in adults with ASD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of CBT for OCD compared to an anxiety management (AM) control in adolescents and adults with ASD.
• To determine treatment response rates and identify factors influencing outcomes.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 46 adolescents and adults with ASD and comorbid OCD.
• Participants were assigned to either CBT for OCD or AM, with treatments matched for duration.
• The Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Severity Scale (YBOCS) was the primary outcome measure, with blind evaluations.

Main Results:

• Both CBT and AM significantly reduced OCD symptoms, with larger within-group effect sizes for CBT.
• No significant between-group differences were observed at treatment end, though the CBT group had more responders (45% vs. 20%).
• Mild symptom severity correlated with improvement in the AM group, while family accommodation negatively impacted outcomes in both groups.

Conclusions:

• Evidence-based psychological interventions, including CBT and AM, are effective for treating OCD comorbid with ASD.
• These findings support the use of tailored psychological treatments for individuals with ASD experiencing OCD.