Acceptability and Feasibility of Internet-Based Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in...

Area of Science:

• Mental Health
• Psychiatry
• Digital Health

Background:

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) presents a significant global mental health challenge.
• Access to evidence-based treatments like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can be limited in certain regions.
• Internet-based CBT (ICBT) offers a scalable solution to bridge treatment gaps.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of a Swedish-developed ICBT program for OCD in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
• To adapt and translate the OCD-NET treatment manual for a Brazilian context.
• To assess treatment outcomes using the RE-AIM framework.

Main Methods:

• An open-label trial involving 35 adults diagnosed with OCD.
• Delivery of a 10-module ICBT program based on Exposure and Response Prevention (EPR).
• Evaluation using the RE-AIM framework and the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) for OCD severity and PHQ-9 for depressive symptoms.

Main Results:

• High completion rate (85.7%) with 30 out of 35 participants finishing the ICBT protocol.
• Significant reduction in OCD severity, with 60% achieving treatment response and 30% remission at 6-month follow-up.
• Improvements observed in depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 scores).

Conclusions:

• ICBT is a feasible and effective treatment for OCD in an upper-middle-income country context.
• The adapted OCD-NET program shows promise for wider implementation.
• Further research is needed to explore ICBT's acceptability in underserved populations.