Cognitive-behavioral therapy for PANDAS-related obsessive-compulsive disorder: findings from a preliminary waitlist controlled open trial.
OBJECTIVE
To provide preliminary estimates of the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in treating pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) of the pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcus (PANDAS) subtype.


METHODS
Seven children with OCD of the PANDAS subtype (range 9-13 years) were treated in a 3-week intensive CBT program conducted at a university clinic. Six of seven children were taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor medication(s) upon presentation. Assessments were conducted at four time points: baseline, pretreatment approximately 4 weeks later, posttreatment, and 3-month follow-up. Raters were blind to the nature of the study treatment.


RESULTS
Six of seven participants were classified as treatment responders (much or very much improved) at posttreatment, and three of six remained responders at follow-up. Clinician severity ratings, as measured by the Children's Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale and Anxiety Disorder Interview Schedule for DSM-IV Child Interview Schedule-Parent version, decreased significantly following intervention, with effect sizes of 3.38 and 2.29, respectively. Self-reported general anxiety and depression symptoms were not significantly reduced.


CONCLUSIONS
This study provides preliminary support for CBT in treating the PANDAS subtype of pediatric OCD. This approach is also considered a safe and minimally invasive treatment approach.
Storch
Eric A
EA
Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA. estorch@psychiatry.ufl.edu
Murphy
Tanya K
TK
Geffken
Gary R
GR
Mann
Giselle
G
Adkins
Jennifer
J
Merlo
Lisa J
LJ
Duke
Danny
D
Munson
Melissa
M
Swaine
Zoe
Z
Goodman
Wayne K
WK
D000293:Adolescent; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000276:immunology*; D001921:Brain / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D020806:Central Nervous System Bacterial Infections / Q000150:complications*; D002648:Child; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000150:complications*; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013577:Syndrome
D001323:Autoantibodies