Comparing efficacy and effectiveness of ERP and DIRT methods in treatment of compulsive washing

ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to compare the efficacy of Danger Ideation Reduction Therapy [DIRT] with Exposure and Response Prevention [ERP] method in treatment of compulsive washing. Six females with compulsive washing were selected to take part in a multiple-baseline type single-subject experimental trial, and were divided in 2 groups. Subjects of each group answered to the Maudseley Obsessional-Compulsive Inventory [MOCI], Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale, Depression-Anxiety-Stress Scale [DASS] and Subjective United Discomfort Scale [SUD] at three stages of baseline, fourth, and final sessions. Data were presented in charts. This research indicated that both DIRT and ERP [especially DIRT] were effective in alleviating the symptoms of compulsive washing. DIRT is more effective than ERP for treatment of compulsive washing