Cognitive behaviour therapy and medication in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder

Abstract

Objective: To compare cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) with CBT plus medication; medication alone; and placebo in the treatment of adult obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Method: Forty-eight participants (43 completers) were recruited into two protocols. In the first protocol, 21 people with OCD were randomly allocated to either a standard medication (fluvoxamine) or standard placebo condition for a 5-month period. Both these groups subsequently received CBT for a further 5 months. In the second protocol, 22 people with OCD received CBT, one group was already stabilized on an antidepressant of choice; the second group was drug naïve.

Results: All active treatments, but not the placebo, showed clinical improvement. There was no difference in treatment response to CBT regardless of whether participants had previously received medication or placebo.

Conclusion: CBT has a more specific antiobsessional effect than medication but CBT plus medication shows greatest overall clinical improvement in mood.