Obsession improvement in female patients with relationship obsessive compulsive disorder: A single subject study

The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the combined protocol of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and ACT affecting couples' interpersonal context on improving relationship obsession of female patients with Relationship Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (ROCD).

The present study was conducted as a single-subject study with a multiple baseline design to evaluate the efficacy of the combined protocol of ACT for OCD and couples on improving ROCD in Iranian couples. The sample was married students studying at Tehran universities in 2019 with a ROCD diagnosis. In the combined treatment of ACT for OCD and couples, two patients; in the ACT for OCD, two patients, and the ACT for couples, two patients were studied that were randomly replaced in these treatments. Research instruments included New Partner-Related Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms Inventory (New PROCSI), and New Relationship Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory (New ROCI). 

The scores of participants' median, average, relative, and absolute levels decreased from baseline to treatment stage in both new PROCSI and new ROCI. Also, except for participants 5 and 6, the rest of the participants from baseline to treatment showed stable changes in both questionnaires. The Mean Baseline Reduction (MBLR) and Reliable Change Index (RCI) of those who received the combined ACT were better than those who received other forms of ACT.

The combined treatment of ACT for OCD and couples is the most effective method to reduce the score of new PROCSI and new ROCI compared to the other two treatments.