title: Cognitive-behavioral therapy for pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder: Empirical review and clinical recommendations.
abstract: The efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has been the subject of much study over the past fifteen years. Building on a foundation of case studies and open clinical trials, the literature now contains many methodologically sound studies that have compared full CBT protocols to waitlist controls, pill placebo, psychosocial comparison conditions, active medication, combined treatments, and brief CBT. This review is part of a series commissioned by The Canadian Institute for Obsessive Compulsive Disorders (CIOCD) in an effort to publish in one place what is known about the efficacy of treatments for OCD. A total of fourteen studies were identified; collectively their findings support the efficacy of CBT for youth with OCD. CBT protocols that emphasized either strictly behavioral or cognitive conceptualizations have each been found efficacious relative to waitlist controls. Efforts to enhance CBT׳s efficacy and reach have been undertaken. These trials provide guidance regarding next steps to be taken to maximize efficacy and treatment availability. Findings from studies in community clinics suggest that significant treatment benefits can be realized and are not reported only from within academic contexts. These findings bode well for broader dissemination efforts. Recommendations for future research directions are provided.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA. Electronic address: marty@mail.med.upenn.edu.
authors.forename: Martin E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Franklin
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Hilary E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Kratz
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown University Medical School, Providence, RI, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Freeman
authors.affiliation: Centre for Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Eastern and Southern Norway, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Tord
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ivarsson
authors.affiliation: King׳s College London, Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK; National and Specialist OCD Clinic for Young People, Maudsley Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: Isobel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Heyman
authors.affiliation: OCD Clinic, Department of Psychology, McGill University Health Center, and Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: Debbie
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sookman
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Fordham University, Bronx, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Dean
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: McKay
authors.affiliation: Departments of Pediatrics and Psychiatry & Neurosciences, University of South Florida, St. Petersburg, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Eric A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Storch
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurosciences Medicine, Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: March
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002170:Canada; D002648:Child; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Adolescents; Behavioral therapy; Children; Cognitive therapy; Exposure and response prevention; Pharmacotherapy; Treatment