Cognitive-behavioral group therapy in obsessive-compulsive disorder: a randomized clinical trial.
BACKGROUND
The present study was designed to verify the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral group therapy (CBGT) in reducing obsessive-compulsive symptoms and the intensity of overvalued ideas, as well as in improving the patient's quality of life.


METHODS
Forty-seven patients meeting DSM-IV criteria for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) were randomly assigned to either 12 weekly CBGT sessions or a waiting list (control group). Treated patients were followed for three months.


RESULTS
There was a significant reduction in the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (p < 0.001), in the National Institute of Mental Health Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (p < 0.001), in the Overvalued Ideas Scale (p < 0.001), and a significant improvement in the quality of life in the four domains of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment Scale: physical (p < 0.001), psychological (p < 0.017), social (p < 0.018) and environmental (p < 0.04). No significant reduction was found in the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (p = 0.111) and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (p = 0.271). The concomitant use of anti-obsessional medications did not influence the results. The rate of improved patients was 69.6% in the treated group and 4.2% in the control group (p < 0.001). The therapeutic gains were maintained and an additional reduction in symptoms was observed during the 3-month follow-up period.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that CBGT is effective in reducing the intensity of OCD symptoms and of overvalued ideas, and that it improves the OCD patient's quality of life in a short period of time.
Volpato Cordioli
Aristides
A
Department of Psychiatry, Hospital de Clínicas Porto Alegre, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil. acordioli@terra.com.br
Heldt
Elizeth
E
Braga Bochi
Daniela
D
Margis
Regina
R
Basso de Sousa
Marcelo
M
Fonseca Tonello
Juliano
J
Gus Manfro
Gisele
G
Kapczinski
Flavio
F
D000328:Adult; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group; D011788:Quality of Life; D016896:Treatment Outcome