Impact of cognitive-behavioral group therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder on family accommodation: A randomized clinical trial

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of cognitive-behavioral group therapy (CBGT) with the brief involvement of family members on family accommodation and to identify predictors of family accommodation reduction (patient and family member characteristics). This randomized clinical trial assessed 98 pairs of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and their family members: 52 (53.1%) were allocated to the intervention group (12 CBGT sessions - two with the family member), and 46 (46.9%) to a waiting list (control group). Symptom severity and family accommodation were assessed before and after CBGT. There was significant improvement of OCD symptoms and family accommodation scores after CBGT in the intervention group vs. the control group. The following variables were significant predictors of family accommodation reduction after multivariate analysis: patient characteristics - absence of comorbid unipolar disorder, lower obsession score, and higher education level; family member characteristics - higher hoarding score. The model explained 47.2% of the variance in family accommodation scores after treatment. CBGT for patients with OCD and the brief involvement of family members contributed to reduce family accommodation. Both patient and family member characteristics were predictors of family accommodation reduction. This finding can help qualify CBGT protocols.