A preliminary study of partial hospital management of severe obsessive-compulsive disorder.
OBJECTIVE
The study examined the effectiveness of a partial hospital treatment program combining behavioral therapy, medication, and psychosocial intervention for severe and treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder.


METHODS
A total of 58 patients with a primary diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder who underwent treatment in a partial hospital program were assessed at baseline, at program discharge, and at six-, 12-, and 18-month follow-ups. Obsessive-compulsive symptoms, depression, anxiety symptoms, and global functioning were rated.


RESULTS
The majority of patients (71 percent) met the criterion for a successful outcome, which was a 25 percent decrease in score on the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (YBOCS). Fifty-five percent finished the program with YBOCS scores of 16 or less, indicating only mild symptoms. Most of these patients sustained their improvement at six, 12, and 18 months after discharge, and many showed further improvement with continued outpatient management.


CONCLUSIONS
The partial hospital treatment program for obsessive-compulsive disorder appears to be an effective intervention that should be implemented and investigated further.
Bystritsky
A
A
Department of Psychiatry, Neuropsychiatric Institute and Hospital, University of California, Los Angeles 90024, USA.
Munford
P R
PR
Rosen
R M
RM
Martin
K M
KM
Vapnik
T
T
Gorbis
E E
EE
Wolson
R C
RC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D002140:California; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003631:Day Care, Medical / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012960:Socioenvironmental Therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D011619:Psychotropic Drugs