A pilot study of a self-help manual with minimal therapist contact in the treatment of obsessive–compulsive disorder

Objectives:

The two main aims of this pilot study was to (1) develop a self-help manual (facilitated by a therapist) for people with obsessive–compulsive disorder and (2) to investigate whether effective CBT for OCD can be delivered via a therapist-facilitated CBT self-help manual.

Design:

A pilot study using an uncontrolled repeated measures design.

Setting:

A specialist cognitive behaviour therapy department, West Hampshire NHS Trust.

Participants:

Seven consecutive clients referred to a CBT department whose main presenting difficulty was OCD, met inclusion criteria and agreed and consented to participate in the study.

Main outcome measures:

The main outcome measure was the Yale Brown Obsessive Compulsive Checklist (YBOC’s) and a measure of depression and social functioning were administered at pre and post treatment and at 1-, 3-, and 6-month follow-up.

Results:

Results indicated good clinical outcome and nurses can deliver effective support to patients using a self-help manual with obsessive–compulsive disorder.

Conclusions:

Although the results are promising, further work is required with larger numbers, longer follow-up and economic evaluation under controlled conditions.