In a study on the effectiveness of video teletherapy treating children and teens with OCD, 2,173 participants showed nearly 40% reduction of symptoms after just 13 NOCD sessions.
In a groundbreaking new study published in the leading peer-reviewed journal for digital medicine, NOCD demonstrated the effectiveness of virtual exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy for kids and teens with OCD who are between the ages of 5 and 17.
OCD can be difficult to diagnose and challenging to treat—traditional therapy options are often limited by barriers such as shortages of specialized therapists and high treatment costs. Through their virtual ERP model and world-class clinician training, NOCD has made evidence-based OCD treatment more effective, affordable, and convenient for people of all ages.
Find the right OCD therapist for you
All our therapists are licensed and trained in exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), the gold standard treatment for OCD.
In this study, the sample size was 2,173 individuals—currently the largest study of treatment in children and adolescents with OCD to date. Results were achieved with a median of 13 therapy sessions, totaling just 11.5 hours of therapist involvement, demonstrating how quickly NOCD’s treatment model works.
During the study, children and teens received virtual ERP sessions with their NOCD Therapist and supplemented treatment with the NOCD app, where they could track their progress, complete their session “homework,” message their therapist between sessions, and connect with the NOCD community. In addition, parents and caregivers were able to use the NOCD app to better connect with their child’s therapist, attend live support groups, and learn how to help their loved one with OCD.
“Treatment should integrate into a family’s routine,” says NOCD’s Cofounder and CEO Stephen Smith. “Families shouldn’t have to reorganize their lives just to ensure their child receives the care they need.”
Key findings from the study include:
- A median 37.3% reduction in OCD symptoms.
- Over 53% of participants showed significant reduction of symptoms after 13 sessions.
- Participants also had notable reductions in symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress.
- Reduction in OCD symptoms were maintained or improved upon over the following months.
“We’re now one significant step closer to addressing the pediatric mental health crisis,” says Smith. “Families across all 50 states can confidently access therapy services for OCD and related conditions.”
“The findings from this landmark study are a significant step forward in establishing that virtual therapy can effectively treat OCD in children and adolescents,” says Dr. Jamie Feusner, Chief Medical Officer of NOCD. “This research validates our approach and shows that it is effective for people with mild to severe symptoms. Addressing the urgent need for accessible, evidence-based treatments in pediatric mental health, virtual therapy offers another, effective option for treatment. We are committed to harnessing these insights to ensure that every child and family struggling with OCD has the support they need to thrive.”
By combining innovative technology with evidence-based care that’s covered by major health insurance providers, NOCD is breaking down barriers to OCD treatment and providing hope to over 155 million children, teens, and their families. Through NOCD, more than 9 in 10 American families with commercial health insurance can access personalized OCD treatment which had previously cost thousands of dollars out of pocket.
As the mental health crisis continues to challenge young people nationwide, this study marks a significant step toward a future where every family can access the care they deserve.