ERIC Number: EJ1238013
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2020-Jan
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1362-3613
EISSN: N/A
Adapted Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder with Co-Occurring Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Clinical Effectiveness Study
Flygare, Oskar; Andersson, Erik; Ringberg, Helene; Hellstadius, Anna-Clara; Edbacken, Johan; Enander, Jesper; Dahl, Matti; Aspvall, Kristina; Windh, Indra; Russell, Ailsa; Mataix-Cols, David; Rück, Christian
Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, v24 n1 p190-199 Jan 2020
Obsessive-compulsive disorder and autism spectrum disorder commonly co-occur. Adapted cognitive behavior therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder in adults with autism spectrum disorder has not previously been evaluated outside the United Kingdom. In this study, 19 adults with obsessive-compulsive disorder and autism spectrum disorder were treated using an adapted cognitive behavior therapy protocol that consisted of 20 sessions focused on exposure with response prevention. The primary outcome was the clinician-rated Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale. Participants were assessed up to 3 months after treatment. There were significant reductions on the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale at post-treatment (d = 1.5), and improvements were sustained at follow-up (d = 1.2). Self-rated obsessive-compulsive disorder and depressive symptoms showed statistically significant reductions. Improvements in general functioning and quality of life were statistically non-significant. Three participants (16%) were responders at post-treatment and four (21%) were in remission from obsessive-compulsive disorder. At follow-up, three participants (16%) were responders and one (5%) was in full remission. Adapted cognitive behavior therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder in adults with co-occurring autism spectrum disorder is associated with reductions in obsessive-compulsive symptoms and depressive symptoms. However, outcomes are modest; few patients were completely symptom free, and treatment engagement was low with few completed exposures and low adherence to homework assignments. We identify and discuss the need for further treatment refinement for this vulnerable group.
Descriptors: Autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Cognitive Restructuring, Behavior Modification, Anxiety Disorders, Comorbidity, Adults, Asperger Syndrome, Symptoms (Individual Disorders), Foreign Countries, Program Effectiveness
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Sweden (Stockholm)
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A