Effects of Group‐Based CBT/ERP and ACT on Emotion Dysregulation, Sleep, Anxiety Sensitivity and Psychological Flexibility in Adults With OCD
4 affiliations
- 1Department of Psychology University of Copenhagen Copenhagen Denmark
- 2Mental Health Services Capital Region of Denmark Copenhagen Denmark
- 3Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences David Geffen School of Medicine University of California, Los Angeles Los Angeles California USA
- 4Mental Health Services Region Zealand Slagelse Denmark
Abstract
Introduction: Cognitive behavioural therapy with exposure and response prevention (CBT/ERP) is the recommended first‐line psychological treatment for obsessive‐compulsive disorder (OCD). Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) has emerged as a promising alternative, yet treatment comparisons have primarily focused on symptom severity and even less is known about their effects on other domains.
Study Aim: We examined the effect of group‐based ACT and CBT/ERP on emotion regulation, anxiety sensitivity, insomnia and psychological flexibility in adults with OCD.
Methods: 176 adults with OCD were randomized to CBT/ERP or ACT and assessed with the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), Sleep Condition Indicator (SCI), Anxiety Sensitivity Index‐Revised (ASI‐R) and Acceptance and Action Questionnaire for Obsessions and Compulsions (AAQ‐OC) at baseline, post‐treatment, 6‐month and 12‐month follow‐up and analysed with Mixed‐Model Repeated Measures (MMRM).
Results: Both treatments showed similar improvements in the four domains across timepoints.
Conclusions: In line with our hypotheses, our results indicated that ACT may be non‐inferior to CBT/ERP for all secondary outcomes. However, as the trial was powered for the primary outcome (symptom severity) rather than for these secondary measures, our findings should be interpreted as suggestive. Nonetheless, these findings add to the growing evidence that ACT may be considered a viable treatment for OCD.
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BibTeX
@article{nielsen2026effects,
title = {{Effects of Group‐Based CBT/ERP and ACT on Emotion Dysregulation, Sleep, Anxiety Sensitivity and Psychological Flexibility in Adults With OCD}},
author = {Sara Kerstine Kaya Nielsen and Mette Øllgaard Pedersen and Clas Winding and Kate Wolitzky‐Taylor and Signe Vangkilde and Milan Obaidi and Nicole Rosenberg and Ida Hageman and Martin Balslev Jørgensen and Anne Christine Stuart},
journal = {Clinical Psychology \& Psychotherapy},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.1002/cpp.70358},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.70358},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Effects of Group‐Based CBT/ERP and ACT on Emotion Dysregulation, Sleep, Anxiety Sensitivity and Psychological Flexibility in Adults With OCD
AU - Sara Kerstine Kaya Nielsen
AU - Mette Øllgaard Pedersen
AU - Clas Winding
AU - Kate Wolitzky‐Taylor
AU - Signe Vangkilde
AU - Milan Obaidi
AU - Nicole Rosenberg
AU - Ida Hageman
AU - Martin Balslev Jørgensen
AU - Anne Christine Stuart
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/08
JO - Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy
DO - 10.1002/cpp.70358
UR - https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.70358
AB - Introduction: Cognitive behavioural therapy with exposure and response prevention (CBT/ERP) is the recommended first‐line psychological treatment for obsessive‐compulsive disorder (OCD). Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) has emerged as a promising alternative, yet treatment comparisons have primarily focused on symptom severity and even less is known about their effects on other domains. Study Aim: We examined the effect of group‐based ACT and CBT/ERP on emotion regulation, anxiety sensitivity, insomnia and psychological flexibility in adults with OCD. Methods: 176 adults with OCD were randomized to CBT/ERP or ACT and assessed with the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), Sleep Condition Indicator (SCI), Anxiety Sensitivity Index‐Revised (ASI‐R) and Acceptance and Action Questionnaire for Obsessions and Compulsions (AAQ‐OC) at baseline, post‐treatment, 6‐month and 12‐month follow‐up and analysed with Mixed‐Model Repeated Measures (MMRM). Results: Both treatments showed similar improvements in the four domains across timepoints. Conclusions: In line with our hypotheses, our results indicated that ACT may be non‐inferior to CBT/ERP for all secondary outcomes. However, as the trial was powered for the primary outcome (symptom severity) rather than for these secondary measures, our findings should be interpreted as suggestive. Nonetheless, these findings add to the growing evidence that ACT may be considered a viable treatment for OCD.
SN - 1063-3995
SN - 1099-0879
ER -