Long-term effect of stepped-care vs in-person cognitive behavioral therapy for pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder

Long-term follow-up data from trials of digital mental health interventions are rare. This study reports 2-year follow-up data from a non-inferiority trial (N = 152) comparing stepped-care (internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy [CBT] followed by traditional in-person CBT if needed) vs in-person CBT for pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder. Both treatment groups had comparable long-term effects, with the majority of participants being responders (stepped-care 66 %; in-person CBT 71 %) 2 years after the end of treatment.

Automated summary

This study presents two-year follow-up data from a non-inferiority trial comparing stepped-care and in-person CBT for pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder. Both treatment approaches demonstrated similar long-term effects, with the majority of participants showing positive responses two years after treatment.