Online Cognitive Bias Modification of Interpretation for Children With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Objective: Many children with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) either don’t have access to its main treatment, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), or do not respond to it. Cognitive Bias Modification of Interpretation (CBM‑I) is a novel and promising intervention that targets incorrect interpretation of intrusive thoughts and impulses which are the characteristics of OCD. The aim of the present study was to determine the effectiveness of CBM‑I for children with OCD for the first time, and also to evaluate the possibility of online implementation of this intervention. Methods: A sample of 35 children with OCD (aged 7 to 12) were randomly assigned to two groups. Children in the experimental group (n = 18) received CBM‑I and children in the control group (n = 17) received placebo treatment. Interpretation bias and OCD severity were assessed at pretest, posttest and 2 months follow-up, using Obsessive Compulsive Inventory-Child Version (OCI‑CV), Obsessive Beliefs Questionnaire-Child Version (OBQ‑CV), and Ambiguous Scenarios Task. The results of these assessments were statistically analyzed using two-way repeated measures ANOVA and paired samples t test. Results: Findings demonstrated that after receiving CBM‑I, children’s propensity to positively interpret ambiguous situations was increased, and also their tendency towards negative interpretation and their OCD severity was decreased. There was no such significant change in the control group. Furthermore, the effects of CBM‑I, were sustained at 2 months follow-up. Conclusion: This study provided preliminary evidence that suggests CBM‑I, is capable of modifying interpretation bias in children with OCD, can reduce the severity of their disorder, and works as an online intervention. This brief and inexpensive intervention could be considered as an auxiliary or standalone treatment for OCD in children.