Is sensory processing sensitivity related to treatment outcome in concentrated exposure and response prevention treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder?

This report therefore uses quality assurance data looking into whether sensory processing sensitivity (SPS) affects treatment outcome among patients with OCD. SPS is a personality trait regarding heightened levels of emotional reactivity and deeper cognitive processing of emotional stimuli. Patients received concentrated exposure treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). They were assessed with one of the most widely used questionnaires for measuring SPS, the Highly Sensitive Person Scale (HSPS). Analyses tested whether HSPS scores at pre-treatment affected treatment outcome, and if sensitivity changed from pre-to post-treatment. Results revealed there was no significant relation between sensitivity and treatment outcome after controlling for pre-treatment levels of OCD, depression, and anxiety. HSPS scores were significantly reduced after treatment (d = 1.22). This indicates that concentrated ERP is suitable also for patients scoring high on HSPS, and the main conclusion is that patients’ sensitivity does not hinder treatment response.
Source: Journal of Obsessive Compulsive and Related Disorders - Category: Psychiatry Source Type: research