Question:
In adults with a diagnosis of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), how effective are group therapies and interventions, compared to individual therapies and interventions, in improving patient outcomes?
Answer:
Plain language
summary
Research evidence suggests that both group and individual
behavioural therapies are effective in improving symptoms of
obsessive compulsive disorder. However the studies included were of
low quality. Further trials are required in order to adequately
compare the effectiveness of group and individual therapies.
Clinical and research implications
Evidence from four small randomised controlled trials (RCTs)
consistently indicated that both group and individual Cognitive
Behavioural Therapy were associated with improvements in
obsessive-compulsive symptoms, depressive symptoms, and anxiety
symptom (assessed in two trials) in adults with
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. There was no evidence to support a
significant difference in the effectiveness of group and individual
therapies, however, it should be noted that the included RCTs were
small and were unlikely to have been adequately powered to detect
any difference.
Further, larger trials are required to adequately explore the
comparative effectiveness of group and individual psychotherapies
in this population.
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