The effectiveness and acceptability of the Bergen 4-day treatment for adolescents with OCD: a replication and extension

BMC Psychiatry. 2024 Feb 21;24(1):148. doi: 10.1186/s12888-024-05601-w.

Abstract

Background: B4DT is a concentrated treatment format with prolonged sessions of exposure and ritual prevention (ERP) delivered over four consecutive days. Two previous open trials demonstrated promising results of the Bergen 4-day treatment (B4DT) for adolescents with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The aim of the current study was to replicate the initial results with a new sample of adolescents and different therapists at different sites across Norway.

Methods: Forty-three youths participated in treatment program. At pretreatment, posttreatment, and the three-month follow-up, OCD symptoms were assessed using the CY-BOCS interview, while the GAD-7 and PHQ-9 were administered to rate general anxiety symptoms and depressive symptoms. Acceptability and patient satisfaction with the treatment were rated with the CSQ-8.

Results: All symptoms were significantly reduced at posttreatment and follow-up. At posttreatment, 36 patients (85.71%) were defined as responders, while 29 patients (69.05%) achieved remission. At the three-month follow-up, 36 patients (92.3%) were defined as responders, while 33 patients (84.62%) were in remission. CSQ-8 scores indicated that the patients were highly satisfied with the treatment.

Conclusions: The B4DT was successfully replicated in a new sample at different sites across Norway, which indicates that this treatment is generalizable, effective and acceptable to adolescents with OCD.

Keywords: Adolescents; B4DT; CBT; Concentrated treatment; Exposure; OCD.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Allied Health Personnel
  • Anxiety Disorders / therapy
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy* / methods
  • Humans
  • Norway
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder* / therapy
  • Treatment Outcome