Evaluating CBT for health anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder adapted for online delivery in the context of COVID-19.

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on the population's mental health, particularly for individuals with health anxiety (HA) and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). This is in conjunction with a significant change in accessibility of face-to-face psychological services which have had to rapidly adapt to the remote delivery of therapy.

AIMS: Using a single-arm open trial design, the study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of evidence-based CBT interventions for HA and OCD delivered via a blend of online therapist consultations interspersed with self-study reading materials. A secondary aim was to evaluate remote training workshops provided to therapists.

METHOD: Therapists attended three half-day remote workshops after which consecutive participants with HA or OCD were assigned to therapists for treatment. Monthly expert supervision was provided. Patients completed routine outcome measures at each session and an idiosyncratic measure of pre-occupation with COVID-19 at pre- and post-treatment.

RESULTS

Significant and comparable improvements were observed on measures of anxiety, depression and social adjustment from pre- to post-treatment in both the HA (n=14) and OCD (n=20) groups. Disorder-specific measures also showed significant improvements after treatment. The HA group showed greater levels of change on the COVID-19-specific questionnaire. The training workshops were well received by therapists, who valued the monthly supervision sessions.

CONCLUSIONS

The study provides support for the effectiveness of the online delivery of CBT for HA and OCD supported by the inclusion of additional self-study booklets.