Internet-based acceptance and commitment therapy for obsessive-compulsive symptoms: A randomized controlled trial

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Psychology
• Digital Health

Background:

• Subthreshold obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCS) are linked to significant distress and functional impairment.
• These symptoms may indicate a risk for developing more severe mental health conditions.
• Effective, accessible interventions are needed for adults experiencing subthreshold OCS.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a four-module internet-based acceptance and commitment therapy (iACT) for adults with subthreshold OCS.
• To compare iACT with internet-based progressive relaxation training (iPRT).
• To assess changes in OCS, psychological flexibility, and quality of life.

Main Methods:

• A single-blinded randomized controlled trial involving 89 adults with subthreshold OCS.
• Participants were assigned to either iACT or iPRT.
• Assessments of OCS, psychological flexibility, and quality of life were conducted at baseline, post-treatment, and three-month follow-up.

Main Results:

• Both iACT and iPRT demonstrated significant pre-post improvements in OCS, psychological flexibility, and quality of life.
• No significant differences in treatment effects were observed between the iACT and iPRT groups.
• All improvements were sustained at the three-month follow-up, with no differences in attrition or adherence.

Conclusions:

• Both internet-based progressive relaxation training and internet-based acceptance and commitment therapy are effective interventions for adults with subthreshold obsessive-compulsive symptoms.
• Internet-based acceptance and commitment therapy may offer higher participant acceptability.
• These digital interventions show promise for improving mental health outcomes in this population.