An eHealth Intervention for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in Youth With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Feasibility of a Therapist and Parent Guided eHealth Intervention for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in Youth With Autism Spectrum Disorder

This study is a feasibility study of Internet-delivered CBT for OCD in children and adolescents (7-17 years) with comorbid Autism Spectrum Disorder.

The main objectives of this study is to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary efficacy of internet-delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (ICBT) for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in children and adolescents (7-17 years) with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The study will an open trial with-in group mean comparison design (n=18). The treatment is delivered over 16 weeks. Study participants will be followed up at 3 (primary endpoint), 6 and 12 months after completed treatment. ICBT is expected to decrease OCD-symptoms.

Inclusion Criteria:

• a diagnosis of OCD according to DSM-5
• a diagnosis of autism according to DSM-IV or DSM-5, confirmed with the Autism Diagnostic Interview- Revised or Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule version 1 or 2 and by medical records
• a total score of ≥ 16 on the Children's Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale
• age between 7 and 17 years
• ability to read and write Swedish
• 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:

• a diagnosis of psychosis, bipolar disorder, severe eating disorder or intellectual disabilities
• comorbid hoarding disorder or OCD with hoarding as a principal symptom.
• suicidal ideation
• 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 any anxiety disorder
• OCD treatment is not an immediate priority