Approaching contamination-related stimuli with an implicit Approach-Avoidance Task: Can it reduce OCD symptoms? An online pilot study

- Study adopts AAT to evaluate its potential to reduce OCD symptoms.
- Study was set up as an online intervention.
- Two training versions were compared to a waitlist control group.
- Compulsions were significantly reduced in the standard AAT group.
- Subjective distress caused by OCD was significantly reduced in both training groups.

Background and objectivesDual-process models suggest that automatic behavioral tendencies contribute to the development and maintenance of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) symptoms. The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential of the Approach-Avoidance Task (AAT) to reduce OCD symptoms and associated distress.MethodsThe study was set up as an online intervention. Participants with OCD symptoms (N = 101) were randomly assigned either to one of two experimental conditions or a waitlist control group upon completion of an online baseline survey. Participants were instructed to respond to contamination-related and neutral pictures by pulling or pushing a computer mouse, respectively. In one AAT condition, contamination-relevant pictures remained on the screen one second after pulling (lock condition), while pictures disappeared immediately after pulling in the standard AAT. Participants completed an online re-assessment four weeks after baseline.ResultsFor analyses, only data of patients with contamination-related OCD symptoms were analyzed. A significant reduction in distress caused by OCD symptoms was found for both AAT training groups. Furthermore, a reduction in compulsions occurred for the group using the standard AAT. No significant effect was found for the control group.LimitationsImplicit behavioral tendencies prior to and after training were not assessed.ConclusionsFindings tentatively suggest that the AAT might be effective in reducing washing-/contamination-related OCD symptoms.