1 - (SYM 90) A Novel Intervention for OCD Symptoms: Targeting Beliefs About Losing Control

Introduction: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a well-established treatment for OCD. However, current limitation in CBT for OCD related to relapse, drop-out and non-response suggest it may be important to incorporate additional intervention targets into treatment. One possible intervention target is beliefs about losing control. This domain, expanded beyond beliefs about the need to control thoughts, has been found to be associated with OCD symptoms. However, it is currently unclear whether targeting beliefs about losing control in a clinical intervention may lead to symptom improvement. The aim of this study (pre-registration: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/RQNUK) was to develop and test the effect of a brief innovative cognitive intervention for beliefs about losing control on OCD symptomatology in a sub-clinical OCD sample.

Method: Currently, 26 (out of a projected 34) participants have been randomly assigned to receive a 1-hour CBT intervention session targeting beliefs about losing control (intervention condition) or a 1-hour sleep hygiene session (control condition). Beliefs about losing control and OCD symptomatology were assessed at baseline and one-week after intervention using self-report questionnaires. Additionally daily monitoring forms were used to assess beliefs about losing control and OCD symptomatology in the week before and after the intervention session.

Results: Preliminary results demonstrate a medium effect for the interaction between condition (intervention vs. control) and time (pre vs. post) on beliefs about losing control measured using daily monitoring forms (η_p² = 0.17), and small effects for the interaction between condition and time on OCD symptomatology measured using self-report (η_p²= 0.08) and daily monitoring forms (η_p²= 0.03), as well as on beliefs about losing control (η_p² = 0.01) measured using self-report.

Conclusions: Preliminary results highlight the potential benefits of incorporating beliefs about losing control as a treatment target in CBT for OCD. The full set of findings and statistical tests will be reported on the completed sample at the convention and will be discussed in terms of theoretical and clinical implications, and potential future directions.