Application supported ERP therapy for OCD patients

Abstract

This research project focuses on addressing the challenges associated with the treatment of Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder (OCD) through the development of a bilingual smartphone application. The prevalence of OCD is significant globally, with a prevalence of 2-3%, and 0.6-0.76% in the Indian population. Despite the proven efficacy of Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy, issues such as non-compliance with homework assignments pose a challenge. The literature review highlights the limited availability of smartphone apps for OCD treatment and emphasizes the potential of technology-assisted interventions. The research identifies existing apps such as "LiveOCDFree" and "nOCD" but notes their limitations, including low utilization rates. The proposed OCD-support application aims to bridge these gaps. The app is designed to have six features: OCD Info, Resources, Compulsion and Obsession Checklist, Self-Monitoring Form, Meditation and Breathing, and Homework. These features cater to user education, resource aggregation, progress tracking, and therapeutic interventions. The Android application, developed in Java, is currently in progress, with features such as Meditation, Resources, OCD Info, Profile, and About Us already implemented on dummy data. The ongoing development includes the implementation of the Compulsion and Obsession Checklist, Self-Monitoring Form, and Homework features. The relational database schema, implemented using MongoDB, facilitates efficient storage and retrieval of user data, while the UserBehaviour table provides insights into user interactions for continuous improvement. Future work involves completing the remaining frontend features, developing a backend for seamless data communication, and obtaining Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval for engaging in Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with potential users and therapists. The research project aims to contribute to the advancement of OCD treatment through accessible and effective smartphone-based interventions, with a focus on cultural and linguistic considerations for the Indian population.