Learn about the Institute of Living's previous studies and the results that were obtained as a result of the studies.
GROUP COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL THERAPY REDUCES THE SYMPTOMS OF HOARDING DISORDER
Hoarding disorder (HD) is common and can be severe. Cognitive-behavioral therapy can improve hoarding symptoms to some extent, but this treatment is usually given one-on-one with a therapist, which is time-consuming and costly. The aim of this study was to find out if treatment in a group setting would be helpful and whether specific changes in beliefs are associated with symptom improvement. Eighty-seven adults who were diagnosed with HD were assigned at random to either start group CBT right away or to wait for 16 weeks before starting treatment. CBT consisted of 16 weekly, 90-min group sessions. In the group participants practiced discarding personal items and practiced resisting acquiring new items. Participants also learned and practiced new decision-making, problem-solving, and distress tolerance skills. Therapists used motivational strategies and a reward system to help participants meet their treatment goals. We found that HD symptoms improved more for those participants in CBT than for those on the wait list. Changes in beliefs about saving things were related to changes in HD symptoms. These results suggest that brief group CBT is a helpful and feasible treatment for adults with HD, and that reductions in possession-related beliefs are partially responsible for symptom reduction.
Reference: Tolin DF, Wootton BM, Levy HC, et al. Efficacy and mediators of a group cognitive-behavioral therapy for hoarding disorder: A randomized trial. J Consult Clin Psychol. Jul 2019;87(7):590-602.
COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL THERAPY CHANGES BRAIN FUNCTION IN HOARDING DISORDER