Brief CBT for Adolescent OCD in Routine Practice, Version 1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A Feasibility Study of Brief Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Adolescent OCD in Routine Clinical Practice
IRAS ID
348693
Contact name
Polly Waite
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Oxford / Research Governance, Ethics & Assurance
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 1 months, 31 days
Research summary
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is characterised by persistent, distressing intrusive thoughts, urges or images (i.e., intrusions) and behaviours aimed at preventing harm and reducing associated discomfort (e.g., compulsions or avoidance) (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). It affects around 1% of adolescents aged 11–19 years in the UK (Sadler et al., 2018), with up to 36% of OCD cases having an onset in adolescence across the globe (Dell’Osso et al., 2016).
We developed a brief 5 session CBT intervention (therapist supported, involving workbooks) for adolescent Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) which was evaluated through a large randomised control trial (RCT; Bolton et al., 2011, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7610.2011.02419.x) and found to be effective. In this trial, clinicians were all highly trained clinical psychologists and young people with ‘marked symptoms of autistic spectrum disorder’ were not included.
We have recently updated the materials (e.g., workbooks, treatment manual, training materials) with PPI and stakeholder involvement (https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/tcqm8).This study aims to explore the feasibility of adopting brief CBT within NHS and NHS-commissioned child and adolescent mental health services. Specifically, we aim to ascertain whether brief CBT for adolescent OCD is:
1. Deliverable within services (i.e. whether clinicians show high levels of treatment adherence) and is acceptable to adolescents, their parents/carers and clinicians/service providers.
2. Associated with significant improvements in OCD symptoms and outcomes equivalent to outcomes for adolescent OCD within meta-analyses for all young people in the trial (including those with an autistic diagnosis and/or high levels of autistic traits).
3. Associated with significant improvements in OCD processes, functional interference, anxiety and depression symptoms.
We will examine this across the whole sample and those with an autism diagnosis and/or high levels of autistic traits.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 1
REC reference
25/WS/0015
Date of REC Opinion
24 Feb 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion