Internet-delivered CBT for Adolescents With OCD: A Randomized Controlled Study

Internet-delivered Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Adolescents With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Study

The effect of Internet-delivered Cognitive Behavior Therapy (ICBT) on adolescents (12 to 17 years) with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is studied. Participants are randomized to either ICBT or a no-treatment condition. We expect ICBT to be superior over the no-treatment condition.

The primary objective of this study is to test the efficacy of Internet-delivered cognitive behavior therapy (ICBT) for adolescents (12 - 17 years) with OCD. We aim to conduct a randomized controlled study with N = 66 participants. Participants will be randomly assigned to ICBT or a wait list condition, either lasting 12 weeks. The primary outcome measure is the Children's Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (CY-BOCS). Study participants will be followed up 3 and 12 months after treatment. ICBT is expected to yield significantly better symptom reduction than the wait list condition.

Inclusion Criteria:

• a primary diagnosis of OCD as defined by DSM-5
• a total score of ≥ 16 on the Children's Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale, CY-BOCS
• age between 12 and 17 years
• ability to read and write Swedish
• daily access to the internet
• a parent that is able to co-participate in the treatment
• Participants on psychotropic medication must have been on a stable dose for the last 6 weeks prior to baseline assessment

Exclusion Criteria:

• diagnosed autism spectrum disorder, psychosis or bipolar disorder, severe eating disorder
• suicidal ideation
• ongoing substance dependence
• subject not able to read or understand the basics of the ICBT material
• completed CBT for OCD within last 12 months (defined as at least 5 sessions of CBT including exposure and response prevention)
• ongoing psychological treatment for OCD or another anxiety disorder