In-person and online-delivered acceptance and commitment therapy for hoarding disorder: A multiple baseline study

Abstract

Hoarding disorder (HD) is associated with distress and functional impairment not only for the individual but also for their family members and community. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) already has broad empirical support and may be helpful for treating HD. In this nonconcurrent multiple baseline study (N = 6), we examined the effect of ACT on HD symptom severity, functional impairment, quality of life, co-occurring symptoms, and other outcomes. Participants consistently reported decreases in HD severity, clutter, functional impairment due to clutter, and depression at posttreatment. Scores were maintained at follow-up for two of three participants. Changes in other variables like quality of life and psychological inflexibility were less consistent. Overall, our findings preliminarily support the efficacy of ACT for HD especially for symptom severity, but the reliability of its effect on other outcomes like quality of life and psychological inflexibility is unclear. Limitations include a homogeneous (100% White women) sample.