Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Interventions in the Treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Abstract

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic and debilitating mental health condition characterized by persistent intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions). While cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) involving exposure and response prevention (ERP) and pharmacotherapy with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are first-line treatments, many individuals continue to experience persistent symptoms or achieve only partial remission. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs), which aim to cultivate present-moment awareness and acceptance of internal experiences, have emerged as a promising adjunctive or alternative treatment approach for OCD. This review synthesizes the existing literature on the use of MBIs, such as mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) and mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), for OCD. Potential mechanisms by which MBIs may benefit individuals with OCD include improved attentional regulation, enhanced emotion regulation skills, reduced cognitive inflexibility through promoting cognitive defusion, and decreased experiential avoidance of intrusive thoughts and urges. Several studies have demonstrated the efficacy of MBIs in reducing OCD symptom severity, and providing insights into how MBIs can increase acceptance, improve emotion regulation, and foster a greater sense of control over symptoms.