Comparison of different formats of group psychotherapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder: compact, high-frequency exposure therapy vs. weekly sessions

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Observational

Source

DRKS

Registry ID

DRKS00036717

Enrollment

Registered

2025-04-28

Start date

2025-05-07

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2026-06-22

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

F42

Interventions

Group 1: Weekly group psychotherapy: Participants in this study group receive exposure-based group psychotherapy over 14 weekly sessions. Each therapy group comprises 8 patients and 2 therapists. The

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Age

18 Years to 75 Years

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: Diagnosed obsessive-compulsive disorder (ICD-10: F 42) Willingness and consent to participate in the study (informed consent)

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: Acute suicidality Psychotic symptoms (current or lifetime) Current substance dependence Neurological disorder associated with the obsessive-compulsive symptoms Lack of German language skills

Design outcomes

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
The secondary outcome parameters include the change in self-reported OCD symptoms and OCD-related beliefs (OCI-R, OBQ-D), depressive symptoms (PHQ-9), self-esteem (RSES), self-efficacy expectation (SWE), quality of life (WHOQoL-BREF), experiential avoidance/psychological flexibility (BEAQ) and general level of functioning (GAF). In addition, previous treatment experiences and basic demographic and clinical data are collected at T0 (e.g. age, gender, education, onset of OCD, previous psychotherapeutic and drug treatments and psychiatric comorbidities). At T2, group processes (GQ-D), patient satisfaction (ZUF-8) and subjective evaluation of the intervention and side effects (INEP) are recorded. Process-related changes (e.g. therapy motivation, group cohesion and therapeutic alliance) are also recorded before and after each session (PPSQ-ERP, WAI-SR). Measurement time points and instruments used (at UKB) At both measurement time points (T0, T2): • Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) • Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised (OCI-R) • Obsessive-Beliefs Questionnaire (OBQ-D) • Patients Health Questionnaire – Depression (PHQ-9) • Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) • Self-Efficacy Scale (SWE) • Brief Experiential Avoidance Questionnaire (BEAQ) • WHO Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQoL-BREF) • Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) • Questions regarding peer support Additionally at T0: • Collection of basic demographic and clinical data (e.g. age, gender, education, onset of OCD, previous treatment experience, medication, psychiatric comorbidities) Additionally at T2: • Group Questionnaire (GQ-D) • Patient satisfaction questionnaire (ZUF-8) • Subjective evaluation of side effects (INEP) • Report of self-guided and therapist-guided exposures • Report of external influencing factors Interim measurements: • Pre- and Post-Session Questionnaire – (concentrated) Exposure and Response Prevention (PPSQ-ERP; adapted for the weekly therapy setting): b	—

Measure

Time frame

The secondary outcome parameters include the change in self-reported OCD symptoms and OCD-related beliefs (OCI-R, OBQ-D), depressive symptoms (PHQ-9), self-esteem (RSES), self-efficacy expectation (SWE), quality of life (WHOQoL-BREF), experiential avoidance/psychological flexibility (BEAQ) and general level of functioning (GAF). In addition, previous treatment experiences and basic demographic and clinical data are collected at T0 (e.g. age, gender, education, onset of OCD, previous psychotherapeutic and drug treatments and psychiatric comorbidities). At T2, group processes (GQ-D), patient satisfaction (ZUF-8) and subjective evaluation of the intervention and side effects (INEP) are recorded. Process-related changes (e.g. therapy motivation, group cohesion and therapeutic alliance) are also recorded before and after each session (PPSQ-ERP, WAI-SR). Measurement time points and instruments used (at UKB) At both measurement time points (T0, T2): • Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) • Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised (OCI-R) • Obsessive-Beliefs Questionnaire (OBQ-D) • Patients Health Questionnaire – Depression (PHQ-9) • Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) • Self-Efficacy Scale (SWE) • Brief Experiential Avoidance Questionnaire (BEAQ) • WHO Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQoL-BREF) • Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) • Questions regarding peer support Additionally at T0: • Collection of basic demographic and clinical data (e.g. age, gender, education, onset of OCD, previous treatment experience, medication, psychiatric comorbidities) Additionally at T2: • Group Questionnaire (GQ-D) • Patient satisfaction questionnaire (ZUF-8) • Subjective evaluation of side effects (INEP) • Report of self-guided and therapist-guided exposures • Report of external influencing factors Interim measurements: • Pre- and Post-Session Questionnaire – (concentrated) Exposure and Response Prevention (PPSQ-ERP; adapted for the weekly therapy setting): b

—

Primary

Measure	Time frame
The primary outcome parameter is the change in obsessive-compulsive symptoms from the start of treatment (T0) to the end of treatment (T2), measured using the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS). The remission status is also assessed using the Y-BOCS.	—

Countries

Germany

Contacts

Public ContactKatharina Bey

Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Bonn

katharina.bey@ukbonn.de+49 228 287 16859

Outcome results

None listed

Source: DRKS (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Jun 29, 2026