Acceptance and Commitment Therapy as a Treatment for Scrupulosity in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Abstract
This study evaluated acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) for scrupulosity-based obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Five adults were treated with eight sessions of ACT, without in-session exposure, in a multiple baseline across participants design. Daily monitoring of compulsions and avoided valued activities were tracked throughout the study. The Obsessive Compulsive Inventory–Revised, Yale–Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS), Penn Inventory of Scrupulosity, Beck Depression Inventory–II, Quality of Life Scale, Santa Clara Strength of Religious Faith Questionnaire, and the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire–II were completed at pretreatment, posttreatment, and 3-month follow-up. The Treatment Evaluation Inventory was completed at posttreatment. Average daily compulsions reduced as follows: pretreatment = 25.0, posttreatment = 5.6, and follow-up = 4.3. Average daily avoided valued activities reduced as follows: pretreatment = 6.0, posttreatment = 0.7, and follow-up = 0.5. Other measures showed similar patterns. Religious faith only slightly declined: 4% at posttreatment and 7% at follow-up. Treatment acceptability was high.
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Biographies
John P. Dehlin, MS, is a doctoral student in psychology at Utah State University. His research focuses on the nexus of religion and mental health.
Kate L. Morrison, BA, is a doctoral student in psychology at Utah State University. Her research and clinical interests are in ACT, delay discounting, and treatment of anxiety disorders.
Michael P. Twohig, PhD, is an associate professor of Psychology at Utah State University. His research focuses on the treatment of anxiety disorders using exposure-based therapies and acceptance and commitment therapy.
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Article first published online: February 11, 2013
Issue published: May 2013
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Published online: February 11, 2013
Issue published: May 2013
PubMed: 23405017
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