Comparing Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy to Stress Management for Veterans with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to compare the impact of Exposure and Response Prevention ERP therapy versus a stress management training control on Veterans with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder OCD, including those with both OCD and posttraumatic stress disorder PTSD. The study will evaluate how these treatments affect Veterans functioning, quality of life, and OCD symptoms. Additionally, the study will explore the potential for implementing ERP in Veterans Affairs VA mental health settings through mixed-methods evaluation. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either 16 weekly sessions of ERP or 16 weekly sessions of stress management training, both delivered via video telehealth VTH. ERP sessions, lasting 90 minutes each, involve psychoeducation, assessment, exposures to feared situations, and homework assignments focused on coping with OCD triggers. Stress management training includes psychoeducation and sessions teaching relaxation and coping skills. Assessments will be conducted after treatment and six months later. ERP participants will also provide feedback on treatment satisfaction and participate in qualitative interviews. Veterans will be involved in completing assessments of their work and social adjustment, quality of life, and OCD symptoms at baseline, post-treatment, and six months post-treatment. Researchers will collect data on treatment effects and implementation potential. Therapy sessions will be audio-recorded. The total participation lasts through treatment and follow-up visits up to six months after treatment completion.

ERP to Improve Functioning in Veterans With OCD