Cognitive-behavioral family treatment of childhood obsessive-compulsive disorder: preliminary findings

Abstract

The effectiveness of a 14-week cognitive-behavioral family treatment protocol for childhood obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) was piloted using a volunteer sample of seven children aged 10-14 years. The primary outcome measures were diagnostic status, symptom severity, and global functioning which were assessed at pre- and post-treatment, and at three-month follow-up. A series of self-report measures assessing obsessive-compulsive symptomatology, depression, and family factors were also completed at pre- and post-treatment. The results indicated that six participants no longer met criteria for OCD at post-treatment, with a mean reduction of 60% in symptom severity. Self-reported obsessive-compulsive symptomatology and family involvement in the disorder also significantly decreased across time. The findings support the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral treatment with a structured family component for childhood OCD. Further research investigating the comparative efficacy of treatment with and without family involvement is warranted.