Exposure and Response Prevention in the Treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Current Perspectives

Clara Law; Christina L Boisseau

doi:10.2147/PRBM.S211117

Exposure and Response Prevention in the Treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Current Perspectives

Psychol Res Behav Manag. 2019 Dec 24:12:1167-1174. doi: 10.2147/PRBM.S211117. eCollection 2019.

Authors

Clara Law¹, Christina L Boisseau¹

Affiliation

¹ Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.

Abstract

Numerous clinical trials support the efficacy of exposure and response prevention (ERP) for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Accordingly, ERP has been formally recognized as a first-line, evidence-based treatment for OCD. This review discusses the theoretical underpinnings of the treatment from a behavioral and neurobiological perspective and summarizes the evidence supporting the efficacy of ERP across child and adult populations. Next, we discuss predictors of ERP treatment outcome and discuss implementation strategies designed to improve feasibility and adoption. Finally, strategies to improve treatment dissemination are discussed.

Keywords: behavior; extinction; learning; rituals; treatment.

Publication types

Review