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Case Series of Behavioral Psychotherapy for Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms in Youth with Prader-Willi Syndrome

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Abstract

Obsessive-compulsive symptoms among youth with Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) are frequently present and associated with considerable problems in the daily functioning of the child and his/her family. Although pharmacological and psychosocial treatments exist that target obsessive-compulsive symptoms among typically developing youth, these treatments have not been systematically adapted and/or evaluated for this population. Furthermore, although psychotropic medications have shown promising support in addressing obsessive-compulsive symptoms in several case reports involving youth with PWS, associated efficacy is modest and potential for side effects is a realistic concern. Given efficacy and tolerability of cognitive-behavioral treatment for obsessive-compulsive symptoms in typically developing youth, an adapted version of this approach may hold promise in treating clinically problematic obsessive-compulsive symptoms in youth with PWS. Thus, we report on a case series of behavioral treatment for obsessive-compulsive symptoms in three youth with PWS. Diagnostic and symptom severity assessments were conducted at screening, pre-treatment, and post-treatment by a trained independent evaluator. All youth were considered treatment responders and exhibited meaningful reductions in compulsion severity, overall obsessive-compulsive severity, and obsessive-compulsive related impairment. These data provide preliminary evidence for the utility of behavioral therapy in treating obsessive-compulsive symptoms in youth with PWS.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, University of South Florida, 800 6th Street, South, Box 7523, St. Petersburg, FL, 33701, USA

    Eric A. Storch, Omar Rahman, Jessica Morgan & Tanya K. Murphy

  2. Department of Psychiatry, University of South Florida, St. Tampa, FL, USA

    Eric A. Storch & Tanya K. Murphy

  3. Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, St. Tampa, FL, USA

    Eric A. Storch & Lindsay Brauer

  4. Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA

    Jennifer Miller

Authors
  1. Eric A. Storch
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  2. Omar Rahman
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  3. Jessica Morgan
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  4. Lindsay Brauer
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  5. Jennifer Miller
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  6. Tanya K. Murphy
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Correspondence to Eric A. Storch.

Additional information

This study was funded by a grant to the first author from the Foundation for Prader Willi Research. The contributions of Danielle Bodzin, B.S., Daniel Driscoll, M.D., Ph.D., Amy Parks, Psy.D., and Theresa Strong, Ph.D. are noted.

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Storch, E.A., Rahman, O., Morgan, J. et al. Case Series of Behavioral Psychotherapy for Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms in Youth with Prader-Willi Syndrome. J Dev Phys Disabil 23, 359–368 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10882-011-9233-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10882-011-9233-5

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