Predictors of symptom improvement in CBT for OCD
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Predictors of symptom improvement in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
IRAS ID
147597
Contact name
Gazal Khan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Royal Holloway, University of London
Research summary
The cognitive-behavioural model of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) proposes that intrusive thoughts about harm are a common occurrence but individuals who interpret these intrusions to mean that they are responsible for harm develop obsessive-compulsive symptoms. This model suggests that interpretation of intrusions depend on an individual’s beliefs and that changing negative responsibility interpretations reduces obsessive-compulsive symptoms.
Beliefs and interpretations of intrusions are linked but are seen as theoretically separate concepts and measured using different questionnaires. Many studies have used belief questionnaires and report that changes in beliefs predict symptom improvement following Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). However, the extent to which changes in responsibility interpretations predict symptom improvement is less well established. This study therefore aims to investigate whether changes in responsibility interpretations during CBT predicts symptom improvement.
Standardised questionnaires are commonly used in CBT. However, CBT for OCD involves identifying individualised interpretations of intrusions that maintain symptoms. Research suggests that individualised questionnaire assessment, where the most relevant questions to the individual’s difficulties are selected from a questionnaire, provides a more specific and sensitive assessment of the individual’s difficulties. This study therefore also aims to investigate if an individualised approach to questionnaire administration predicts symptom improvement in CBT for OCD.
REC name
London - Bromley Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/LO/0653
Date of REC Opinion
24 Apr 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion