Effectiveness and long-term stability of cognitive behavior therapy in adolescents with obsessive-compulsive disorder

Cognitive behavior therapy has proven to be effective in youngsters with obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD). However, studies on long-term effects are lacking. This study analyzes the short-term and long-term effects of behavior therapy in 10 and 9 patients, respectively, aged 9 - 19 years. The outpatient treatment lasted 15 months on average (with after care included). A follow-up was conducted 4.2 years later. During the treatment the OCD symptoms were reduced for all patients on all outcome variables. Additionally, comorbid symptoms and the burden of the patient in the family, in the school, and during leisure activities was substantially reduced and psychosocial functioning was improved. These effects remained stable on most of the parameters for most of the patients at follow-up, more than 4 years after treatment termination. The study shows that long-term improvements can be achieved by behavior therapy.