Cited by 274Digital Mental Health InterventionsObsessive-Compulsive Spectrum DisordersAnxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes

Internet-based cognitive behaviour therapy for obsessive–compulsive disorder: a randomized controlled trial

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Andersson, E., Enander, J., Andrén, P., Hedman, E., Ljótsson, B., Hursti, T., Bergström, J., Kaldo, V. +3 more·2012·Psychological Medicine

Abstract

Background: Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment for obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) but access to CBT is limited. Internet-based CBT (ICBT) with therapist support is potentially a more accessible treatment. There are no randomized controlled trials testing ICBT for OCD. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of ICBT for OCD in a randomized controlled trial. Method: Participants (n=101) diagnosed with OCD were randomized to either 10 weeks of ICBT or to an attention control condition, consisting of online supportive therapy. The primary outcome measure was the Yale–Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (YBOCS) administered by blinded assessors. Results: Both treatments lead to significant improvements in OCD symptoms, but ICBT resulted in larger improvements than the control condition on the YBOCS, with a significant between-group effect size (Cohen's d) of 1.12 (95% CI 0.69–1.53) at post-treatment. The proportion of participants showing clinically significant improvement was 60% (95% CI 46–72) in the ICBT group compared to 6% (95% CI 1–17) in the control condition. The results were sustained at follow-up. Conclusions: ICBT is an efficacious treatment for OCD that could substantially increase access to CBT for OCD patients. Replication studies are warranted.

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  1. First MB Gibbon M Spitzer RL Williams JBW Benjamin LS 1999 Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders (SCID-I) (Swedish Version) Pilgrim Press. Danderyd

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Authors
Andersson, E., Enander, J., Andrén, P., Hedman, E., Ljótsson, B., Hursti, T., Bergström, J., Kaldo, V., Lindefors, N., Andersson, G., & Rück, C.
Affiliations
  • Karolinska Institutet (SE)
  • Uppsala University (SE)
  • Stockholm University (SE)
  • Linköping University (SE)
Corresponding author
Andersson, E.
Venue
Psychological Medicine
Published
2012-02-21
Volume
42
Issue
10
Pages
2193-2203
ISSN
  • 0033-2917 (ISSN-L)
  • 1469-8978
OpenAlex
W2099538769
Cited by
274
References
55
Citations by year
2026: 10 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 21 · 2023: 29 · 2022: 21 · 2021: 22 · 2020: 18 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 15 · 2017: 26 · 2016: 19 · 2015: 24 · 2014: 28 · 2013: 14 · 2012: 6
FWCI
32.27
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Psychological Medicine (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • Karolinska Institutet
  • Stockholms Läns Landsting
  • Vetenskapsrådet
  • Svenska Läkaresällskapet
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Digital Mental Health Interventions
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
Keywords
internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy, obsessive-compulsive disorder, therapist support, treatment efficacy, access to mental health care, Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale, symptom remission
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Sweden, Therapy, Computer-Assisted, Observer Variation, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Treatment Outcome, Internet, Young Adult

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