a meta-analysis on the effectiveness of drug therapy in improving obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms

aim and background: in recent years, experts in the field of obsessive-compulsive disorder have been trying to measure the validity and efficiency of pharmaceutical interventions. the meta-analysis evaluated the effectiveness of medication on symptoms of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder. methods and materials: this meta-analysis was conducted on studies during the past decade in iran. therefore, 20 studies which have been conducted with approved and accurate methodology during the past 10 years were selected and divided into control and experimental groups. they were then investigated based on the meta-analysis method. the research tool was the meta-analysis checklist. findings: the effect size of pharmaceutical treatment on reducing obsessive-compulsive symptoms was d= 1.11 (p ≤ 0.001). conclusions: according to cohen's power table for effect size, the effect size of pharmaceutical treatment on reducing symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder was high.