Pediatrics
Which treatments are effective for pediatric OCD?
Study design: This meta-analysis included 71 randomized trials assessing the efficacy of various treatments for pediatric OCD. The primary outcome was OCD symptom severity, measured by the Children’s Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (CY-BOCS). Exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), SSRIs, and clomipramine were compared, both individually and in combination.
Results: ERP, both in-person and remote, was found to be more effective than waitlist and behavioral control conditions. SSRIs and clomipramine were more effective than placebo, with ERP showing greater efficacy than SSRIs alone. Combined ERP and SSRI treatment was more effective than SSRI alone. The highest-ranked interventions included ERP, ERP combined with SSRIs, and remote ERP.
Impact on clinical practice: The findings support the use of ERP, either alone or in combination with SSRIs, as the most effective treatment for pediatric OCD. Remote delivery of ERP is also effective, offering a viable option for increasing access to treatment.
Source:
Steele DW, et al. (2024, December 6). Pediatrics. Treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in Children and Youth: A Meta-Analysis. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39639456/