A Controlled Trial of Daily Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Pediatric Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Distressing, intrusive thoughts, images, or impulses and repetitive mental or behavioral rituals aimed to reduce distress are the hallmark of adult and pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Epidemiological studies suggest a prevalence rate of between 1 to 4% in children and adolescents (Douglass, Moffitt, Dar, McGee, & Silva, 1995; Flament, Whitaker, Rapoport, & Davies, 1988; Zohar, 1999). If untreated, OCD is related to significant social, academic, and familial impairment (Koran, Thienemann, & Davenport, 1996; Piacentini et al., 2003).

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy with proven efficacy for OCD treatment in adult populations (see Franklin & Foa, 2002 for a review). More recently, several open (Benazon, Ager, & Rosenberg, 2002; March, Mulle, & Herbel, 1994; Piacentini, Bergman, Jacobs, McCracken, & Kretchman, 2002) and one controlled trial (de Haan, Hoogduin, Buitelaar, & Keijsers, 1998) have supported the effectiveness of this approach with children and adolescents diagnosed with OCD. Cognitive-behavioral therapy for adult and pediatric OCD can be broken down into two general components. First, in exposure and response prevention (ERP), patients are gradually exposed to anxiety-provoking stimuli while refraining from engaging in compulsive behaviors or rituals (Meyer, 1966). The extended exposure to anxiety-provoking stimuli causes anxiety to habituate and provides objective data that contradicts inaccurate expectations of harm and responsibility (Foa & Kozac, 1996). Second, cognitive therapy teaches the patient to identify and correct anxiety-provoking cognitions that often motivate compulsive behaviors. Objective, realistic cognitions that are not linked to obsessive-compulsive anxiety will result in reduced needs to perform compulsive acts.

Although the results of the above mentioned psychotherapy trials, as well as a number of pharmacological treatment trials, are promising (Cook et al., 2001; DeVeaugh-Geiss, Moroz, Biederman, & Cantwell, 1992; Geller et al., 2001; Liebowitz et al., 2002; March et al., 1998; Riddle et al., 2001), it is important to note that a relatively large number of patients do not respond to treatment in a clinically significant manner. For example, the treatment response rates in recent major drug trials ranged from 42 to 67% (Cook et al., 2001; DeVeaugh-Geiss et al., 1992; Geller et al., 2001; Liebowitz et al., 2002; Riddle et al., 2001), whereas the treatment response rate in the referenced psychotherapy trials ranged from 63 to 79%. As such, it is important to identify and test potential treatment approaches that may be suitable for treatment refractory pediatric OCD patients.

One manner of treating children with OCD who do no adequately respond to conventional medication or psychotherapy interventions is through intensive CBT. The UF OCD Program in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Florida utilizes the principles of CBT. Our intensive program provides CBT services to children on an outpatient basis. Intensive outpatient treatment involves the child and his/her parent(s) or guardian(s) moving to Gainesville for three weeks, which usually requires staying in a hotel, unless the person has friends or relatives living in the area. Patients are seen five days per week for approximately three weeks. Sessions typically involve exposure and response prevention in conjunction with cognitive therapy for older children. Family members are involved extensively in treatment to assist with the completion of daily homework exercises and generalization of skills to the home environment. In addition to being an alternative approach for treatment refractory youth, there are a number of other benefits that an intensive program for pediatric OCD may offer. First, an intensive approach may be well suited for children with severe symptomatology or functional impairment (e.g., not going to school; Franklin, Tolin, March, & Foa, 2001; Storch, Gelfand, Geffken, & Goodman, 2003). Second, existing outpatient interventions typically achieve treatment gains over a 15 to 20 week period. Intensive treatment typically lasts three to four weeks, and thus may present as a more timely, cost-effective, and efficient means of treatment, particularly when the child is missing out on important normative events (e.g., school attendance). Third, many people do not have access to mental health professionals who are trained in empirically grounded OCD treatment and thus, are unable to receive the most effective care. For example, Flament et al. (1988) found that only 22% of a sample of children with OCD were receiving mental health services. Moreover, none of those being treated were receiving appropriate, empirically validated intervention. Finally, time-limited, intensive programs may enhance the child's motivation by becoming the primary focus for several weeks, which may not be the case with standard weekly treatment (Foa & Steketee, 1987).

Although several open and controlled trials of intensive psychotherapy for adult OCD have been published (Abramowitz, Foa, & Franklin, 2003; Cottraux et al., 2001; Foa, Kozak, Steketee, & McCarthy, 1992; Storch et al., 2003), to date, only two examples of intensive outpatient treatment for OCD in childhood has been reported (Franklin et al., 2001; Storch et al., 2004). Franklin et al. (2001) describes a 12-year-old boy with severe OCD who was seen five days per week for a total of 11 sessions. Results indicated marked improvements in clinician-rated OCD symptoms and self-reported depressive symptoms. Storch et al. (2004) provides data on five children with OCD consecutively seen in intensive cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy. Assessments were conducted at baseline and after treatment. All participants were classified as treatment responders (much improved or very much improved). Two of the participants did not meet diagnostic criteria for OCD following treatment. The severity of clinician-rated OCD symptoms and impairment significantly decreased after the intervention.