Effectiveness of Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Experimental Study

This randomized controlled experimental study investigated the efficacy of Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy compared to Stress Management Training (SMT) in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Sixty participants diagnosed with OCD were randomly assigned to ERP (n = ۳۰) or SMT (n = ۳۰) groups, with assessments conducted at baseline, mid-treatment, post-treatment, and ۳-month follow-up. The primary outcome measure was OCD symptom severity as assessed by the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS), alongside secondary measures of depression, anxiety, and quality of life. Results demonstrated a significant Group × Time interaction, with the ERP group exhibiting a ۵۳.۶% reduction in OCD severity post-treatment, compared to a ۲۱.۵% reduction in the SMT group. ERP participants also showed substantial decreases in depressive and anxiety symptoms and improvements in quality-of-life domains, which were maintained at follow-up. Treatment adherence emerged as a significant predictor of clinical improvement. No major adverse events were reported, underscoring the safety and tolerability of ERP. These findings support ERP as a superior, evidence-based intervention for OCD with broad psychosocial benefits and sustained effects. Implications for clinical practice underscore the importance of targeted exposure-based therapies, patient engagement, and ongoing innovation to enhance treatment accessibility and outcomes.

کلیدواژه ها:

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) ، Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) ، Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) ، Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)