The Efficacy of Combined Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and Exposure Prevention Response on Symptoms of Resistant Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: An Intensive Day Care Program

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental and behavioral disorder in which an individual has intrusive thoughts and rituals which decrease the distress. It seems that there are many treatments such as EX/RP, repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS), medications or mindfulness for OCD, but there is no single effective treatment yet. In this study, we investigated a multi-element daily program on symptom reduction of OCD people.

In a quasi-experimental design 13 patients were included in the study and received daily rTMS with EX/RP and biofeedback. We utilized BDI, BAI, and YBOCS tools to collect data before and after the treatment and in the subsequent one-month follow-up.

According to the BDI, BAI, and YBOCS results, the decrease in score was observed at the p<0.001 level and the changes were significant after a one-month follow-up period.

The results indicated that the combination of sequenced treatments simultaneously such as rTMS and biofeedback with exposure therapy can facilitate the engagement and enhancement of self-control and distress tolerance.