The timing of symptom change and early treatment response in a self-guided digital treatment for obsessive–compulsive disorder

Abstract

Objective

Self-guided digital treatment is effective for many people with OCD—however, little is known about when during treatment people experience significant symptom reductions. In addition, there is substantial variability in the literature regarding what factors predict treatment responding in self-guided digital treatment for OCD. There is preliminary evidence to suggest that adults with OCD may show early treatment responding (i.e., significant symptom reductions within the first month of treatment) and that this early response could be associated with better post-treatment outcomes.

Methods

In a secondary analysis (n = 123), the current study examined the timing and magnitude of symptom change during self-guided digital CBT, the incidence of early response (at 4-weeks), and whether early treatment response predicted post-treatment response (at 8-weeks). These analyses were conducted for OCD symptoms (primary) and depression symptoms (secondary).

Results

Results indicated a gradual reduction in OCD and depression symptoms across treatment. Although fewer participants experienced an early response in OCD symptoms (22%) compared to depression symptoms (45%), early response was significantly associated with an increased likelihood of post-treatment response in both symptom domains.

Conclusions

These findings highlight that individuals with OCD symptoms may experience reductions in different symptom types at different points during treatment and that early response may be a prognostic factor for overall treatment response in this population across outcomes.