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    "doi": "10.1186\/s12888-026-08634-5",
    "status": "found",
    "title": "The efficacy of digital cognitive behavioral therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis",
    "authors": [
        "Yuetong Zong",
        "Nan Du",
        "Yiman Guo",
        "Siyu Huang",
        "Li Cai"
    ],
    "container": "BMC Psychiatry",
    "year": "2026",
    "doi_url": "https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s12888-026-08634-5",
    "is_open_access": true,
    "oa_status": "gold",
    "best_landing_page": "https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s12888-026-08634-5",
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    "abstract": "This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy of digital cognitive behavioral therapy (dCBT) for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) by comparing dCBT with face-to-face CBT, active psychological controls, and passive control conditions using post-intervention OCD symptom severity outcomes. We systematically searched eight databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, MEDLINE, CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP) from database inception to January 8, 2026, for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating dCBT for OCD. Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted to estimate pooled effect sizes using Hedges’ g based on post-intervention symptom severity. Risk of bias, heterogeneity, certainty of evidence using GRADE, small-study effects, sensitivity analyses, and exploratory subgroup analyses were assessed as appropriate. Eighteen studies involving 1,705 participants contributed 19 comparisons. No statistically significant difference in post-intervention OCD symptom severity was observed between dCBT and face-to-face CBT (Hedges’ g = 0.17, 95% CI: −0.02 to 0.36). In contrast, dCBT was associated with significantly lower post-intervention OCD symptom severity than active psychological controls (g = − 0.77, 95% CI: −1.09 to − 0.45) and passive controls (g = − 0.92, 95% CI: −1.31 to − 0.54). Substantial heterogeneity was observed in the passive-control comparison (I² = 81.80%). Exploratory subgroup analyses identified no statistically significant between-subgroup differences according to age group, therapist guidance, intervention delivery modality, or outcome assessment method. dCBT was associated with lower post-intervention OCD symptom severity than active psychological and passive control conditions, whereas no statistically significant difference was observed between dCBT and face-to-face CBT. The latter finding should not be interpreted as evidence of equivalence or non-inferiority. Given the substantial unexplained heterogeneity in the passive-control comparison and the low to very low certainty of evidence, the findings should be interpreted cautiously. ROSPERO CRD420251090161.",
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            "url": "https:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1186\/s12888-026-08634-5",
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    "google_scholar": "https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/scholar?q=The%20efficacy%20of%20digital%20cognitive%20behavioral%20therapy%20for%20obsessive-compulsive%20disorder%3A%20a%20systematic%20review%20and%20meta-analysis"
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