Psychiatr. praxi. 2025;26(2):101-106 | DOI: 10.36290/psy.2025.018

Internet psychoeducation and psychotherapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder - review

MUDr. Jan Pásztor^{1, 2}, prof. MUDr. Ján Praško, Ph.D.^1-4, MUDr. Jakub Vaněk, Ph.D.⁵, MUDr. Jozef Višňovský², doc. PhDr. PaedDr. Marta Zaťková, PhD.³, PhDr. Miloš Šlepecký, CSc.², prof. PhDr. Tomáš Sollár, PhD.³, MUDr. Vlastimil Nesnídal²

¹ Centrum duševní rehabilitace, Jessenia, Rehabilitační nemocnice Beroun

² Klinika psychiatrie, Fakultní nemocnice Olomouc, Lékařská fakulta Univerzity Palackého v Olomouci

³ Katedra psychologických vied, Fakulta sociálnych vied a zdravotnictva, Univerzita Konštantína Filozofa v Nitre, Slovensko

⁴ Katedra psychoterapie, IPVZ Praha

⁵ Beskydské centrum duševního zdraví, Nemocnice Frýdek-Místek

Objective: The aim of this review article is to describe the effectiveness and accessibility of internet-based psychoeducation and psychotherapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The focus is on various forms of internet therapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and mindfulness techniques.

Methods: Relevant studies published between 2010 and 2024 were selected for this review. Randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews evaluating the effectiveness of internet-based psychoeducation and psychotherapy for patients with OCD were included. Data were analyzed for effectiveness, accessibility, and cost-effectiveness of these interventions.

Results: The results indicate that internet-based psychoeducation and psychotherapy are effective in reducing symptoms of OCD. Therapist-guided online CBT shows comparable effectiveness to traditional face-to-face therapy. Additionally, internet-based therapies increase access to treatment for patients who might otherwise be unable to receive therapy due to geographic or financial barriers. Studies also suggest that these approaches may be cost-effective and provide long-term symptom improvement.

Conclusions: Internet-based psychoeducation and psychotherapy represent promising alternatives to traditional forms of OCD treatment. These methods not only increase treatment accessibility but also provide an effective and cost-efficient option for patients with OCD. Further research should focus on identifying predictors of treatment success and long-term efficacy of these interventions.

Keywords: obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), internet psychoeducation, online psychotherapy, guided self-help, telemedicine.

Accepted: June 9, 2025; Published: July 4, 2025  Show citation