Key Study Lovvall Et Al

Question 1

What is the main aim of the study?

Answer 1

To compare telephone treatment versus face-to-face treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

The study is referred to as a non-inferiority trial.

Question 2

What hypothesis is being tested in the study?

Answer 2

The hypothesis that telephone ERP is not less effective than face-to-face ERP

Both modes of delivery are expected to result in similar outcomes.

Question 3

What type of trial is this study classified as?

Answer 3

Randomised control trial

It includes quantitative data collected through self-report questionnaires.

Question 4

What questionnaires were used in the study?

Answer 4

Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Scale (Y-BOCS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and a client satisfaction questionnaire

The Y-BOCS is a ten-item checklist to assess compulsive behavior.

Question 5

What was the age range of participants in the study?

Answer 5

16-65 years

Participants were an opportunity sample of 72 people with OCD.

Question 6

What were the eligibility criteria for participants?

Answer 6

Participants must have scored at least 16 on the Y-BOCS and be diagnosed with OCD

Exclusions included comorbid substance misuse, suicidality, or recent medication for depression/anxiety.

Question 7

How were participants allocated to treatment groups?

Answer 7

Randomly allocated to face-to-face or telephone treatment

Each group consisted of 36 participants.

Question 8

What is the total number of sessions for the face-to-face group?

Answer 8

Ten one-hour sessions

Sessions involved one-to-one interaction with the therapist.

Question 9

What was the structure of the telephone treatment?

Answer 9

Two one-hour face-to-face sessions and eight weekly telephone calls lasting up to 30 minutes each

The first and last sessions were face-to-face.

Question 10

What was the purpose of the initial face-to-face session?

Answer 10

To explain treatment and reduce anxiety/fear through gradual exposure

The session covered the same material as the control group.

Question 11

What homework expectations were set for participants?

Answer 11

Weekly homework targets were agreed upon, with a suggested time of one hour per day

Homework record sheets were used to monitor progress.

Question 12

How was progress monitored during the study?

Answer 12

Therapists monitored progress and assisted with target-setting and problem solving

Patients were encouraged to seek help from relatives or friends.

Question 13

True or False: The therapists delivering the treatments were untrained.

Answer 13

False

The therapists were experienced and trained.

Question 14

What was the outcome regarding obsessive-compulsive symptoms between the two treatment groups?

Answer 14

There was no significant difference in the severity of obsessive-compulsive symptoms between the two treatment groups at baseline or follow-up assessments.

Question 15

What slight difference was noted between the two modes of delivery?

Answer 15

The telephone group had slightly higher depression scores at baseline compared to the face-to-face group.

Question 16

What criterion defined treatment success in the study?

Answer 16

Treatment was seen as successful if an individual’s symptoms decreased by two standard deviations or more from the baseline mean.

Question 17

What percentage of the telephone group was treated successfully using exposure and response prevention?

Answer 17

77 percent of the telephone group.

Question 18

What percentage of the face-to-face group was treated successfully?

Answer 18

67 percent of the face-to-face group.

Question 19

How much did OCD and depression symptoms drop in both groups?

Answer 19

Both OCD and depression symptoms dropped twice as much as would have been necessary to support the hypothesis that telephone therapy was no less effective than face-to-face therapy.

Question 20

What was the mean Y-BOCS score for the face-to-face group at baseline visit 1?

Answer 20

25.5.

Question 21

What was the mean BDI score for the telephone group immediately after treatment?

Answer 21

11.2.

Question 22

What was a methodological strength of the study?

Answer 22

The researchers took two baseline measures using the Y-BOCS and the BDI, showing minimal change in symptoms over four weeks.

Question 23

What does a minimal difference in baseline tests suggest about the study’s findings?

Answer 23

It suggests that the reduction in symptoms was unlikely due to spontaneous recovery.

Question 24

What was a weakness of the study regarding participant blinding?

Answer 24

The blinding procedure broke down for some participants, compromising the validity of the data.

Question 25

What percentage of participants revealed their group allocation during follow-up assessments?

Answer 25

13 percent of participants.

Question 26

Fill in the blank: Treatment was seen as successful if symptoms decreased by _______.

Answer 26

two standard deviations or more from the baseline mean.

Question 27

True or False: The telephone therapy sessions were longer than the face-to-face sessions.

Answer 27

False.

Question 28

What does the study conclude about telephone-delivered exposure and response prevention therapy for OCD?

Answer 28

It is as effective as face-to-face therapy despite shorter session times.

Question 29

How much therapist time is saved by using telephone therapy compared to face-to-face therapy?

Answer 29

40 percent.

Question 30

What were the two baseline measures used in the study?

Answer 30

Y-BOCS and BDI

Question 31

What did the variation of scores on the baseline measures indicate?

Answer 31

Minimal change in symptoms over four weeks

Question 32

Why is the minimal difference in baseline tests considered a strength of the study?

Answer 32

It suggests that reduction in symptoms was not due to spontaneous recovery

Question 33

What method was used to check the reliability of the baseline scores?

Answer 33

Test-retest

Question 34

What does the consistency of baseline scores over time suggest?

Answer 34

The baseline data was reliable

Question 35

What was a weakness of the study regarding the blinding procedure?

Answer 35

It broke down for some participants

Question 36

What percentage of participants revealed their group during follow-up assessments?

Answer 36

13 percent

Question 37

What is the implication of the blinding procedure breaking down?

Answer 37

The validity of the data may have been compromised

Question 38

Fill in the blank: The two baseline measures used were the _______ and the _______.

Answer 38

Y-BOCS, BDI

Question 39

True or False: The study included a control group for the full course.

Answer 39

False

Question 40

What were the two baseline measures used in the study?

Answer 40

Y-BOCS and BDI

Question 41

What did the variation of scores on the baseline measures indicate?

Answer 41

Minimal change in symptoms over four weeks

Question 42

Why is the minimal difference in baseline tests considered a strength of the study?

Answer 42

It suggests that reduction in symptoms was not due to spontaneous recovery

Question 43

What method was used to check the reliability of the baseline scores?

Answer 43

Test-retest

Question 44

What does the consistency of baseline scores over time suggest?

Answer 44

The baseline data was reliable

Question 45

What was a weakness of the study regarding the blinding procedure?

Answer 45

It broke down for some participants

Question 46

What percentage of participants revealed their group during follow-up assessments?

Answer 46

13 percent

Question 47

What is the implication of the blinding procedure breaking down?

Answer 47

The validity of the data may have been compromised

Question 48

Fill in the blank: The two baseline measures used were the _______ and the _______.

Answer 48

Y-BOCS, BDI

Question 49

True or False: The study included a control group for the full course.

Answer 49

False

Question 50

What is a potential issue with researchers knowing the participant group during follow-up assessments?

Answer 50

It may lead to unintentional bias in how researchers interacted with participants.

Question 51

Why is random allocation of participants to treatment groups important?

Answer 51

It increases validity by controlling for participant variables.

Question 52

What demographic variables were similar across both treatment groups in the study?

Answer 52

* Gender distribution * Mean age * Marital status * Employment status

Question 53

What participant variable was not well controlled in the study despite random allocation?

Answer 53

The initial average depression score was higher in the telephone group.

Question 54

Why might telephone therapy be an effective solution for people with OCD and significant depression?

Answer 54

Depression may impact energy and motivation, making it harder for individuals to attend face-to-face therapy.

Question 55

What is attrition in the context of this study?

Answer 55

It refers to participants dropping out during the course of the study.

Question 56

How did attrition affect the study's assessment of treatment effectiveness?

Answer 56

It reduced similarity between groups and made it difficult to assess genuine treatment success.

Question 57

What was the outcome for the face-to-face group regarding Y-BOCS scores?

Answer 57

Those who dropped out had higher Y-BOCS scores immediately after treatment.

Question 58

What ethical guidelines were upheld in the study according to Lovell et al. (2006)?

Answer 58

* Exclusion of participants with suicidal intent * Protection of participants from harm

Question 59

What was the potential benefit of delivering therapy over the telephone?

Answer 59

It may save more than 40% of a therapist's time.

Question 60

What caution should be taken when generalizing the study's results to clinical settings?

Answer 60

The study was conducted by experienced therapists, and results may not apply to less experienced staff.

Question 61

What important research question remains unanswered regarding telephone therapy?

Answer 61

Whether telephone therapy is as satisfying for therapists as face-to-face sessions.

Question 62

What could be a hidden cost of increased telephone therapy delivery?

Answer 62

Increased stress and burnout for therapists, leading to a need for more training of future therapists.

Question 63

What approach does the study take to measure treatment efficacy?

Answer 63

Nomothetic approach ## Footnote This approach focuses on generalizing findings across populations rather than individual cases.

Question 64

How is clinically relevant improvement defined in the study?

Answer 64

Decrease in Y-BOCS scores of more than two standard deviations of the baseline mean ## Footnote Y-BOCS refers to the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale, a common measure of OCD severity.

Question 65

What is a strength of using a nomothetic approach in the study?

Answer 65

Provides an objective way of deciding treatment success ## Footnote This increases the reliability of the data collected.

Question 66

What would an idiographic approach require?

Answer 66

Different research methods, such as semi-structured interviews or participant observation ## Footnote This approach focuses on individual cases and detailed contextual understanding.

Question 67

What is one weakness identified in Lovell et al. (2006)?

Answer 67

Results may not be generalisable to people in countries other than the UK ## Footnote This limits the applicability of the findings across different cultures.

Question 68

How does Hofstede et al. (2022) describe the UK in terms of cultural dimensions?

Answer 68

Highly individualist with a low power distance index ## Footnote Individualistic cultures prioritize personal autonomy over collective goals.

Question 69

What type of therapy may be preferred in collectivist, high power distance cultures?

Answer 69

Group therapy or community-based approaches ## Footnote These cultures may value collective experiences over individual therapy sessions.

Question 70

What does research conducted in Iran suggest about ERP?

Answer 70

Can lead to an impressive reduction in symptoms ## Footnote The study assessed this using the Y-BOCS with results evident at a 6-month follow-up.

Question 71

What limitation was noted regarding the Iranian study on ERP?

Answer 71

Sample comprised only males ## Footnote This raises concerns about the generalizability of the results to females.

Question 72

Overall, what does the evidence suggest about ERP across different cultures?

Answer 72

Can be effective in cultures that vary widely on Hofstede's cultural dimensions ## Footnote This highlights the adaptability of ERP in diverse settings.