Effectiveness of telephone-based interventions in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a common and chronic disease with significant impacts on patients' lives. Some barriers, including social stigma, often prevent patients from receiving effective treatments. Hence, telemedicine was introduced with advances in technology and communication. Among the present telehealth approaches, telephone-based treatment is both convenient and cost-effective for patients. Therefore, this systematic review evaluated the effectiveness of telephone-based interventions in patients with OCD.

METHODS

This study was a systematic review across databases, including Medline, EMBASE, PsycInfo, Science of Web, Scopus, and Cochrane, in July 2025 and included articles published in English up to this period. The quality of primary studies was assessed by the Kmet standardized criteria, and a narrative synthesis approach was employed to summarize the findings.

RESULTS

Few quantitative studies have examined the effectiveness of telephone interventions in OCD patients. After screening, eight studies were included for review and synthesis. The findings indicate positive effects of telephone treatment on OCD patients regarding symptom improvement, treatment cost-effectiveness, patient satisfaction, quality of life, access to services, and predictive criteria.

CONCLUSION

Telephone interventions represent a promising, low-cost, and effective treatment with high potential, yet have received limited attention despite technological advancements. Considering the positive clinical, social, and political outcomes, further research and clinical application of these interventions are recommended.

PROSPERO CODE: CRD420251118565.