Examination of a brief computerized Cognitive Anxiety Sensitivity intervention on obsessive-compulsive symptoms

Despite the existence of several first-line treatments for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), many patients fail to experience symptom reduction and/or do not complete treatment. As a result, the field has increasingly moved towards identifying and treating malleable underlying risk factors that may in turn improve treatment efficacy. One salient underlying risk factor, anxiety sensitivity (AS) cognitive concerns, has been found to be uniquely associated with obsessive-compulsive (OC) symptom dimensions. However, no studies have yet examined whether reductions in AS cognitive concerns will lead to subsequent reductions in OC symptoms.

The current study attempted to fill this gap by recruiting individuals reporting elevations on both AS cognitive concerns and at least one OC symptom dimension. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either a one-session AS cognitive concerns intervention (n = 35) or a single health information control session (n = 37). AS cognitive concerns were assessed at post-intervention and one-month follow-up.

The active intervention produced significantly greater reductions in AS cognitive concerns post-intervention than the control intervention. However, this effect was no longer significant at one-month follow-up. Further, while there was not an effect of treatment condition on OC symptoms at one-month follow-up, changes in AS cognitive concerns from baseline to post-intervention mediated changes in OC symptoms at one-month follow-up.

Findings support previous research attesting to the malleable nature of AS. Extending this research, findings provide initial support for the efficacy of AS interventions among individuals with elevated OC symptoms.

Clinicians should consider assessing anxiety sensitivity (AS) among patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder. If elevated, clinicians should consider targeting AS as an adjunct to treatment as usual.