Cognitive behavioral therapies (CBT) are a category of treatment that have proven to be effective for treating OCD. CBT includes a variety of modalities, including one-on-one and group therapies.

This study by Dr. Van Noppen and her team aimed to compare how effective three forms of CBT are for OCD: a multifamily group behavior treatment (MFBT), a group behavioral treatment (GBT), and individual behavioral treatment. The resulting publication eventually tested only MFBT (19 people with OCD and their family members) and GBT (17 people with OCD) over the course of 10-12 weeks. At the end of treatments and at one-year follow up, both therapies were shown to significantly reduce OCD symptoms, with more patients receiving MFBT improving than those who received GBT.

Resulting Publication:

*Van Noppen, B., Steketee, G., McCorkle, B.H., & Pato, M. (1997). Group and multifamily behavioral treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder: A pilot study. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 11(4), 431-446. doi:10.1016/S0887-6185(97)00021-2