The efficacy of an internet-based cognitive-behavioral program assisted by a new mobile application for patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

OBJECTIVE

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most common evidence-based treatments for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). However, barriers such as cost, distance, and time constraints have increased interest in internet-based therapeutic alternatives. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and user satisfaction of a therapist-guided internet-based cognitive-behavioral therapy (ICBT) program integrated with a new mobile application, FightOCD, in reducing obsessive-compulsive symptoms, obsessive beliefs, and depressive symptoms among patients with OCD.

METHOD: A single-case A-B design with follow-up was employed, involving a two-week baseline period followed by 12 therapist-guided ICBT sessions for six patients with OCD. Assessments included the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS), Obsessional Beliefs Questionnaire-44 (OBQ-44), Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ-8), Mobile Health Satisfaction Questionnaire (MHSQ), and Therapist Satisfaction Scale (TSS).

RESULTS

Visual analysis of clinical outcomes indicated substantial improvement in all participants. Mixed-model analysis revealed that the intervention significantly reduced obsessive-compulsive symptoms (β=-11.64, p<0.001; d=0.64), obsessive beliefs (β=-48.17, p<0.01; d=1.35), and depressive symptoms (β=-11.87, p<0.01; d=0.70). Both patients and therapists reported moderate to high levels of satisfaction with the ICBT program and the FightOCD mobile application.

CONCLUSION

Integrating therapist-guided ICBT with the FightOCD mobile application had beneficial effects on obsessive-compulsive symptoms and depression in patients with OCD.