Effects of Family and Patient Oriented Educational Program on the Symptoms of Patients with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Background and purpose: Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) has negative impacts on patients and their families. This research was conducted to determine the effect of family and patient oriented education program on obsessive-compulsive symptoms in patients with OCD. Materials and methods: This semi-experimental study was carried out in 50 patients and their primary caregivers in Sari, Iran 2018. The intervention group attended eight educational sessions and the control group received usual treatment. Data were collected using Maudsley Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory and Goldberg General Health Questionnaire and analyzed in SPSS V21. Results: The mean scores for OCD symptoms in the intervention group were 17.52± 3.74, 17.16 ± 3.50, and 13.28±4.17 before the intervention, after one month, and after the intervention, respectively. The scores in the control group were 15.08± 1.99, 13.42 ± 2.79, and 12.84±2.59, respectively. Findings showed that the mean score for OCD symptoms decreased significantly in both groups over time (P<0.001). Decrease in the scores for OCD symptoms before and one month after the intervention was found to be significantly different between the two groups (P= 0.025). Conclusion: The mean scores for obsessive-compulsive symptoms declined in both groups over time. This decline in the intervention group could be associated with education alongside routine treatment.