Dados do Trabalho

Título

Internal family systems therapy in patients with obsessive–compulsive disorder and their partners: a pilot randomized clinical trial

Introdução

The effectiveness of internal family systems therapy (IFST) has not been evaluated in couples dealing with obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD).

Objetivo

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of IFS therapy (12 sessions) in patients with OCD and their partners, aimed at reducing the symptoms of the disorder and improving the affective relationship.

Método

This was a randomized clinical trial involving ten couples who received IFS therapy and eight couples who were assigned to a waiting list (control group). In each couple, one individual met the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for OCD. We applied the Yale–Brown Obsessive–Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS), Dimensional Y-BOCS (DY-BOCS).

Resultados

Compared with the control group, the IFS therapy group showed significant reductions in DY-BOCS overall severity (p = 0.008) and Y-BOCS severity of obsessions (p = 0.007), as well as significant improvements in the DY-BOCS dimensions harm (p < 0.007), symmetry/ordering (p < 0.017), and collecting/hoarding (p < 0.041).

Conclusão

The IFS therapy provided strategies for the couples regarding the effective management of OCD symptoms. However, studies with larger samples and evaluating other psychopathological factors are needed in order to corroborate these preliminary findings.


Palavras-chave: Internal family systems therapy; obsessive–compulsive disorder; randomized clinical trial