Brief Anxiety Sensitivity Treatment for Obsessive Compulsive Symptoms

Randomized Control Trial Examining a Brief Anxiety Sensitivity Cognitive Concerns Intervention for Obsessive Compulsive Symptoms

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), characterized by recurrent obsessions and/or compulsions, is a disabling psychiatric condition affecting approximately 2-3% of the population. Whereas several first-line treatments have been established (e.g., pharmacological and psychological), a substantial proportion of patients (40-60%) fail to experience symptom remission, underscoring the need for research in this area. One approach to increasing treatment efficacy is to target underlying risk factors or dysfunctions that may in turn improve outcomes. One such risk factor is anxiety sensitivity (AS) cognitive concerns. AS cognitive concerns reflects fears of mental incapacitation (e.g., "It scares me when I am unable to keep my mind on a task"). There is recent evidence that AS cognitive concerns is uniquely associated with various obsessive-compulsive (OC) symptom domains. However, questions remain as to whether reductions in AS cognitive concerns will lead to subsequent reductions in OC symptoms. The purpose of the proposed study is to investigate the efficacy of a brief AS cognitive concerns intervention on reductions in OC symptoms.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Participants must be 18 years of age or older
• Elevated levels of obsessive-compulsive symptoms as indicated by scoring one standard deviation above the non-clinical mean on any Dimensional Obsessive-Compulsive Scale dimension
• Elevated anxiety sensitivity cognitive concerns as indicated by scoring one standard deviation above the non-clinical mean

Exclusion Criteria:

• Evidence of a significant medical illness that would prevent the completion of interoceptive exposure (IE) exercises
• Non-English speakers
• Individuals currently receiving cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety and/or mood disorders or who are not stable on psychotropic medications (i.e., new medication or changes in dosage within the last three months)