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Cognitive behaviour therapy and medication in the treatment of obsessive–compulsive disorder
Article first published online: 27 FEB 2006
DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0447.2006.00767.x
Additional Information
How to Cite
O'Connor, K. P., Aardema, F., Robillard, S., Guay, S., Pélissier, M.-C., Todorov, C., Borgeat, F., Leblanc, V., Grenier, S. and Doucet, P. (2006), Cognitive behaviour therapy and medication in the treatment of obsessive–compulsive disorder. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 113: 408–419. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0447.2006.00767.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 27 FEB 2006
- Article first published online: 27 FEB 2006
- Accepted for publication December 21, 2005
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- cognitive therapy;
- cognitive behaviour;
- drug therapy;
- obsessive behaviour;
- anxiety;
- depression
Objective: To compare cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) with CBT plus medication; medication alone; and placebo in the treatment of adult obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD).
Method: Forty-eight participants (43 completers) were recruited into two protocols. In the first protocol, 21 people with OCD were randomly allocated to either a standard medication (fluvoxamine) or standard placebo condition for a 5-month period. Both these groups subsequently received CBT for a further 5 months. In the second protocol, 22 people with OCD received CBT, one group was already stabilized on an antidepressant of choice; the second group was drug naïve.
Results: All active treatments, but not the placebo, showed clinical improvement. There was no difference in treatment response to CBT regardless of whether participants had previously received medication or placebo.
Conclusion: CBT has a more specific antiobsessional effect than medication but CBT plus medication shows greatest overall clinical improvement in mood.