New Study: Digital Health Interventions for Individuals with OCD

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) affects approximately 1% of adults in the United States and may cause significant distress and disability.  While there are effective non-pharmacologic treatments for OCD, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), many individuals are not able to access this form of specialized treatment.  

In exploring the obstacles individuals face in accessing mental health care, previous studies have identified many patient-level barriers.  Many of these are logistical (e.g., lack of transportation, inability to take time off from work).  Other obstacles include the stigma associated with receiving care  and the high cost of treatment.  Further diminishing access to care are broader system-level barriers.  At this point, we simply do not have enough mental health providers to assess the enormous need for services.

There has been considerable excitement about the use of digital technologies to improve access to mental health services, and many apps and online programs offer treatment to those with psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, and OCD.  Unfortunately, the effectiveness of many of the digital interventions offered to the public have not been systematically assessed.

The Center for OCD and Related Disorders (CORD) at MGH is now conducting a study which will evaluate the effectiveness of two digital health programs which use either CBT (app-based) or a Health and Well-Being Program (web-based) to target OCD symptoms.

Wilhelm S, Weingarden H, Ladis I, Braddick V, Shin J, Jacobson NC. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy in the Digital Age: Presidential Address. Behav Ther. 2020 01; 51(1):1-14.

Sabine Wilhelm, PhD is the Director of the Center for OCD and Related Disorders (CORD) and Chief of Psychology at MGH and a Professor at Harvard Medical School (HMS). She is also the Chair of the Digital Health Think Tank in Psychiatry at MGH.  Dr. Wilhelm is recognized as a leading researcher in obsessive-compulsive and related disorders. Her recent research focuses on the use of cutting-edge technology to improve and personalize mental health care for a range of mental health concerns.