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Updated: Jun 25, 2025

Signal Attenuation as a Rat Model of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Published on: January 9, 2015
Exposure therapy tailored to inhibitory learning principles in a naturalistic setting: an open pilot trial in
Franziska Kühne1, Lea Kathrin Hobrecker1, Peter Eric Heinze1
1Department of Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany.
Abstract:
Inhibitory learning (IL) theory offers promising therapeutic strategies. However, more evidence is needed, especially regarding OCD treatment in routine care. The present pilot study investigated the positive and negative effects of IL-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in a university outpatient setting. A total of N = 21 patients (57.14% male, mean age 31.14, SD = 12.39 years) passed through manualized therapy delivered by licensed psychotherapists. Between the first and 20th IL-focused CBT session, obsessive-compulsive symptoms (Obsessive Compulsive Inventory-Revised, d = 3.71), obsessive beliefs (Obsessive-Beliefs Questionnaire, d = 1.17), depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory, d = 3.49), and overall psychological distress (Global Severity Index, d = 3.40) decreased significantly (all ps < 0.01). However, individual patients reported some negative effects of therapy. The results underline the value of thorough investigations of novel therapeutic interventions in naturalistic settings.
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