Effectiveness of a Group-Based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in a University Hospital *
- Author:
Sang Won LEE
1
;
Mina CHOI
;
Seung Jae LEE
Author Information
1. Department of Psychiatry, Kyungpook National University Chilgok Hospita, Daegu, Korea
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:
Journal of the Korean Society of Biological Therapies in Psychiatry
2022;28(1):49-56
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Objectives:：Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) was recently introduced to the treatment of the obsessivecompulsive disorder (OCD). Major core components of ACT can be effectively applied to OCD treatment. Cognitive defusion can make to reduce anxiety related to obsessional thought by observing and flowing the thoughts in a nonjudgemental manner. Value-based commitment can be helpful to confront situations rather than experiential avoidance. Although several studies verified the effectiveness of ACT treatment on OCD, there is a lack of study in Korea.
Methods:：Forty-four patients with OCD were randomly assigned to treatment or control groups (22 patients per group). An eight-session, 90-minute ACT program was developed and conducted for 8 weeks for the treatment group. Symptoms were measured before and after 8 weeks, using Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS), Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory (OCI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire (CFQ).
Results:：After eight-week program, the treatment group showed greater reductions in cognitive fusion score (p= 0.001) as well as obsessive-compulsive symptoms measured by both Y-BOCS and OCI (ps<0.001) compared to the control group. Moreover, changes in cognitive fusion score were significantly correlated with changes of Y-BOCS, OCI, and BDI scores (all ps<0.05).
Conclusions:：To the best of our knowledge, our study is the first report to verify the effectiveness of a group based ACT program on OCD in Korea. Our ACT program was effective to reduce symptoms of OCD and related cognitive fusion. Future study with longitudinal design and large sample sizes are needed to investigate confirmatory and longterm effects of our ACT program for OCD.
