This randomized controlled study examines the efficacy of manualized psychodynamic short-term therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder. This study compares the therapy condition with a waiting list condition and involves two study centers: Giessen/Göttingen (Clinic for Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy) and Frankfurt (Sigmund Freud Institute). The aim is to recruit 66 patients with a primary diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder, excluding those with psychoses, acute substance-related disorders, organic brain disorders, cluster A and B personality disorders, acute self-harm or suicide risk, or undergoing other psycho- or psychopharmacotherapy.
The primary outcome measure is the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS), with various secondary outcome measures collected, including depression, anxiety, interpersonal problems, and cortisol levels. Additionally, the study explores how different mediators impact therapy outcomes, such as therapeutic relationship, central conflicts, attachment patterns, and mentalization. Surveys are administered before and after therapy, as well as 6 and 12 months post-therapy, by trained and blinded examiners. The study is registered with the German Register of Clinical Studies (DRKS-ID: DRKS00011256).
Original language: German