Assisting relapse prevention in OCD using a novel mobile app-based intervention: A case report.

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry and Behavioral Science
• Digital Health Interventions
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Background:

• Mobile health (mHealth) apps enhance accessibility of cognitive-behavioral-based interventions.
• GGOC is a novel mHealth application specifically designed to challenge maladaptive beliefs in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
• This study evaluates GGOC's utility as a relapse prevention strategy for OCD patients post-CBT.

Observation:

• A single-case study involved a 26-year-old female patient with severe contamination and washing/cleaning OCD symptoms (Y-BOCS = 33).
• The patient utilized the GGOC app for relapse prevention after completing CBT, engaging with 47 levels targeting OCD-related maladaptive beliefs.
• Standardized assessments including the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS), Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised (OCI-R), and Obsessive Beliefs Questionnaire (OBQ-20) were administered pre- and post-intervention.

Findings:

• Significant reductions were observed in scores for the OBQ-20 and OCI-R from pre- to post-GGOC usage.
• The patient's Y-BOCS score decreased substantially from 7 (pre-GGOC) to 2 (post-GGOC), indicating a marked improvement in OCD symptom severity.
• GGOC demonstrated efficacy in reducing maladaptive beliefs and overall OCD symptomology.

Implications:

• The findings suggest GGOC is a valuable tool for relapse prevention in individuals with OCD.
• GGOC contributes to the maintenance of therapeutic gains achieved through traditional CBT.
• This mHealth intervention shows promise for accessible and effective OCD management and relapse prevention.