Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can manifest in different forms, such as constant checking or excessive cleaning. These symptoms are often time-consuming and distressing, negatively impacting one’s quality of life. However, a new study suggests that behavioral therapies like exposure and response prevention (EX/RP) can effectively retrain the brain to overcome OCD.
EX/RP could help in treating OCD
The recent study conducted by University of Michigan and Colombia University researchers has shed light on the mechanisms behind the effectiveness of exposure and response prevention (EX/RP) therapy in treating OCD. The study found that EX/RP training has the ability to reshape brain activity, leading to improved cognitive control and ultimately alleviating symptoms of OCD.
OCD commonly impacts a patient’s brain function in three cognitive control networks: the frontoparietal network (FPN), cingulo-opercular network (CON), and default mode network (DMN). In a recent study involving 111 adolescents and adults with OCD, participants were either administered Exposure and Response Prevention (EX/RP) aimed at developing coping skills through gradual exposure, or received traditional stress management training as a control treatment.
A study involving magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was conducted to investigate the effects of exposure and response prevention (EX/RP) therapy on patients with OCD. The results revealed that participants who underwent EX/RP therapy displayed enhanced connectivity within the cognitive control networks, unlike those who received stress management classes. This finding highlights the unique benefits of EX/RP in strengthening cognitive control and suggests its potential as an effective treatment for OCD.
EX/RP improved connectivity of brain circuits
Senior study author Kate Fitzgerald said that the study was important since it demonstrates how EX/RP enhances brain function in treating OCD. Findings indicate that EX/RP enhanced brain circuits’ connection underlying cognitive control which is the ability to adjust repetitive tendencies and thoughts.
Researchers utilized the knowledge of study co-author Adriene Beltz, PhD, from the University of Michigan, to employ an advanced analysis technique. This new approach enabled them to observe individualized brain changes in patients undergoing exposure and response prevention (EX/RP) therapy.
Dr. Fitzgerald intends to explore a new study employing a cognitive training video game to prep patients for EX/RP therapy.
