Clinical and Demographic Characteristics of Patients with Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms Using Internet-Delivered and Face-to-face Cognitive Behavior Therapy

ObjectiveInternet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy (ICBT) is an effective treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). However, little is known about the characteristics of individuals who engage with this treatment and whether they are comparable to those who engage in face-to-face treatment for OCD. The aim of the current study was to examine the demographic and clinical characteristics of participants who engaged in a large open trial of self-guided ICBT for OCD and compare their characteristics with those who completed face-to-face treatment for OCD, as described in large, published studies.MethodThree hundred and twenty-three participants (Mage = 33.27; SD = 12.22; 74.1% female) were included in the study.ResultsParticipants in the ICBT group were significantly younger in age, were more likely to be female, and less likely to take psychotropic medication for their OCD symptoms, compared to participants who completed face-to-face treatment. There were no significant differences between the groups on OCD symptom severity or on depressive symptom severity.ConclusionAlthough slight differences in demographic characteristics were found between the ICBT group and face-to-face CBT group, the groups had similar clinical characteristics, indicating individuals who seek both treatment modalities are comparable to one another. What is already known about this topic:ICBT for OCD provides the same information and skills that are typically taught in face-to-face treatment.Preliminary evidence suggests that individuals who consider commencing ICBT for OCD have similar characteristics to those who choose to engage in face-to-face treatment for OCD.Some meaningful differences in characteristics have been observed within other psychiatric populations when ICBT, face-to-face treatment, and/or epidemiological samples have been compared, indicating the possibility that some meaningful differences could also exist among individuals with OCD who actually engage in ICBT.What this topic adds:This is the first known study to compare the demographic and clinical characteristics of individuals who enrolled in ICBT for OCD, delivered in a self-guided manner, to those who completed face-to-face treatment.Slight differences in demographic characteristics were observed between the ICBT and face-to-face treatment group; namely, those who engaged in ICBT were more likely to be female and younger in age, and less likely to be medicated for symptoms.Similar clinical characteristics were observed between the ICBT and face-to-face treatment groups on the severity of OCD and depressive symptoms, indicating that individuals with OCD who engage in ICBT are clinically representative of those in the general population.