Psychotherapy or Pharmacotherapy? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis on  the Efficacy of Treatments for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Authors

  • Diego Rivera-Porras Universidad de la Costa, Colombia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14482/sun.42.02.529.876

Keywords:

Psychological therapy, Psychotherapy, Pharmacological therapy, Pharmacotherapy, Obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Abstract

Introduction: Comparative efficacy evidence on psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy for obsessive-
compulsive disorder (OCD) in clinical settings was synthesized through a systematic review and
meta-analysis.
Materials and methods: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses
(PRISMA) guidelines were used for reporting. The research question was formulated using the Population,
Intervention, Measurement, Comparison, Outcome, and Time (PIMCOT) framework.
Results: The random-effects meta-analysis included seven randomized clinical trials and did not
estimate a statistically significant efficacy difference between psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy as monotherapies for OCD. The standardized mean difference was g = –0.0497, with a standard error
(SE) of 0.1464, z = –0.34, p = 0.734, and a 95% confidence interval (CI) from –0.3366 to 0.2372. Between-
study heterogeneity was low to moderate (τ² = 0.0427; I² = 28.9%; Q [6] = 8.01; p = 0.2375).
Publication-bias analyses did not indicate significant publication bias. The estimates are consistent
with comparable efficacy between both treatment modalities.
Analysis and discussion: The meta-analytic estimates are compatible with similar efficacy of psychotherapy
and pharmacotherapy for OCD. The point estimate slightly favored pharmacotherapy,
but the effect was negligible and did not reach clinical relevance. Treatment selection depends on
symptom severity, potential adverse effects, and availability within the healthcare system.
Conclusions: No statistically or clinically significant efficacy difference was estimated between
psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy when used as monotherapies for OCD. Across the included
studies, both approaches were associated with reductions in obsessive-compulsive symptoms.

Author Biography

  • Diego Rivera-Porras, Universidad de la Costa, Colombia

    Psychologist. PhD in Psychology. Universidad de la Costa, Barranquilla (Colombia).
    drivera23@cuc.edu.co. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2169-3208

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Published

2026-07-09

Issue

Section

SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS (WITHOUT META-ANALYSIS)

How to Cite

Psychotherapy or Pharmacotherapy? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis on  the Efficacy of Treatments for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. (2026). SCIENTIFIC JOURNAL SALUD UNINORTE, 42(2), 503-533. https://doi.org/10.14482/sun.42.02.529.876

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