Cognitive behavioral therapy for hoarding disorder: An updated meta-analysis

• Published in: Journal of affective disorders 2021-07, Vol.290, p.128-135
• Main Authors: Rodgers, Natasha, McDonald, Sarah, Wootton, Bethany M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: CBT; Cognitive-behavioral therapy; Hoarding disorder; Meta-analysis; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 0165-0327; 1573-2517
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.04.067

•This study synthesizes sixteen studies examining the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for HD.•The study further examines the effect of CBT for HD on comorbid depressive symptoms.•The results indicate that CBT for HD is efficacious at post-treatment and follow-up, with large effect sizes demonstrated.•The results demonstrate that effects on depressive symptoms are modest, with small effect sizes seen at post-treatment.•More controlled trials with longer follow up assessment points are urgently needed. Background: Hoarding disorder (HD) is a new disorder in DSM-5. While cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is seen as the gold standard approach to treatment, the literature in this field is still emerging. Methods: The aim of the present study is to synthesize the current treatment outcome literature on CBT for HD, as well as secondary depressive symptoms, using a meta-analytic approach. Due to a lack of controlled trials only within-group effect sizes were calculated. Results: Sixteen studies were included in the meta-analysis (n = 505; mean age = 56 years; mean percentage female participants = 72%). Large effect sizes were found from pre-treatment to post-treatment (g = 1.11; 95% CI: 0.92–1.29) and from pre-treatment to follow-up (g = 1.25; 95% CI: 0.94–1.56) on HD symptoms. The gender distribution of the sample moderated treatment outcome, with larger effects seen in studies that included a larger proportion of female patients. Treatment modality (individual vs group), therapist training, use of home visits, trial type (efficacy vs effectiveness), number of treatment weeks, participant age, and study quality did not moderate treatment outcome. Small effect sizes were found from pre-treatment to post-treatment (g = 0.45; 95% CI: 0.28–0.61) for depressive symptoms and baseline depression severity, treatment modality, use of home visits, and assessment tool used did not moderate outcome. Limitations: The study is limited by the small number of studies available in this field. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that CBT for HD is an effective treatment, however, controlled trials are needed, as are trials examining the long-term efficacy of CBT for HD.