Group and multifamily behavioral treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder: a pilot study

J Anxiety Disord. 1997 Jul-Aug;11(4):431-46. doi: 10.1016/s0887-6185(97)00021-2.

Abstract

Recent trends toward managed care in mental health settings require investigation of the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of treatments conducted over shorter time frames or with less therapist involvement. Findings are presented in an uncontrolled trial of two types of group behavioral treatments of OCD: group (GBT) and multifamily (MFBT). Seventeen patients (10 women and 7 men) diagnosed with OCD received a partially manualized GBT delivered by co-therapy teams in three groups of ten 2-hr sessions. Mean interview-based YBOCS scores reduced significantly at posttest and at 1-year follow-up, as did measures of overall functioning on the Sheehan Disability Scale at posttest and follow-up. A second cohort of 19 patients (14 women and 5 men) was treated with MFBT that included spouses/partners and parents in three co-therapy groups. Two groups received ten 2-hr sessions and one received twelve 2-hr sessions. YBOCS scores reduced significantly at posttest and at 1-year follow-up, with corresponding gains in disability scores. Both group treatments showed large effects comparable to those reported for a more intensive individual behavioral treatment. Comparisons of treatments indicated that similar proportions of subjects were reliably changed at posttest and follow-up respectively, but more MFBT than GBT participants were clinically significantly improved. These promising cost effective group treatments remain to be tested in a controlled trial.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Behavior Therapy* / economics
  • Child
  • Cohort Studies
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis
  • Family Therapy* / economics
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / psychology
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / therapy*
  • Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care
  • Personality Assessment
  • Pilot Projects
  • Psychotherapy, Group* / economics
  • Treatment Outcome