Lifestyle Interventions in the Treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders: A Systematic Review

Brierley, Mary‐Ellen; Thompson, Emma M.; Albertella, Lucy; Fontenelle, Leonardo F.

doi:10.1097/psy.0000000000000988

Cited by 9 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 72 publications

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“…Yet, cross-sectional studies have not supported a link between OCS/PRBs and exercise to date (Freedman and Richter, 2021). One single-arm exercise intervention utilising moderate intensity physical exercise showed acute but significant decreases in OCD symptoms (for a review, see Brierley et al, 2021b). Further research into the relationship between exercise with OCS and PRBs, including in the general population, is required.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lifestyle risk factors for obsessive-compulsive symptoms and related phenomena: What should lifestyle interventions target?

Brierley

Albertella

Christensen

et al. 2022

Aust N Z J Psychiatry

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Objective: Understanding the impact of lifestyle on mental illness symptoms is important for informing psycho-education and developing interventions which target mental and physical comorbidities. Obsessive-compulsive and related disorders can have a significant impact on health-related quality of life and physical health. However, our understanding of the impact of lifestyle on obsessive-compulsive symptoms and broader compulsive and impulsive problematic repetitive behaviours is limited. Aims: We investigated whether lifestyle factors predicted change in obsessive-compulsive symptoms and problematic repetitive behaviours in a general population sample over a 3-month period. Methods: Eight hundred thirty-five participants completed an online questionnaire battery assessing lifestyle and mental health. Of these, 538 participants completed the same battery 3 months later. We conducted negative binomial regressions to analyse the association of lifestyle factors at baseline with future (1) obsessive-compulsive symptoms, (2) compulsive problematic repetitive behaviours and (3) impulsive problematic repetitive behaviours, adjusting for baseline obsessive-compulsive symptoms and problematic repetitive behaviours. Results: Lower vegetable ( p = 0.020) and oily fish ( p = 0.040) intake and lower moderate intensity physical activity ( p = 0.008) predicted higher obsessive-compulsive symptoms at follow-up. Higher intake of high-fat foods ( p < 0.001) predicted higher compulsive problematic repetitive behaviours at follow-up. No lifestyle factors significantly predicted impulsive problematic repetitive behaviours at follow-up. Conclusion: Our results speak to the potential importance of lifestyle quality screening, education and lifestyle interventions (e.g. an anti-inflammatory diet) for individuals experiencing compulsivity-related behaviours and/or symptoms. Further research into potential mechanisms of action will allow for more targeted approaches to lifestyle interventions for transdiagnostic compulsive behaviours.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lifestyle risk factors for obsessive-compulsive symptoms and related phenomena: What should lifestyle interventions target?

Brierley

Albertella

Christensen

et al. 2022

Aust N Z J Psychiatry

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“…Nutritional support for patients in psychiatric care is inadequate. Research has examined the effects of nutritional supplements and deficiencies associated with mental disorders (Carnegie et al, 2020; Marx et al, 2021; Sarris, 2019), the lifestyle intervention by diet quality in psychological depression (Brierley et al, 2021), and the role of dietary interventions to prevent depression (Lassale et al, 2019). However, few studies have addressed the diets of patients in psychiatric care, and effective support methods to assist such patients and improve their QOL have not been identified.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nutritional counseling needs of patients with mental disorders in psychiatric care: A cross-sectional survey

Koshimoto,

Kuboki,

Gunji

et al. 2023

Int J Soc Psychiatry

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Background: The exploration of diet and nutrition as they relate to mental health and psychiatric disorders is a developing field. Anxiety, depression, and pharmacological treatments used to treat these disorders are likely to have side effects that induce decreases in activity and irregular eating habits, resulting in persistent nutritional imbalance. Unhealthy dietary patterns are associated with an increased risk of developing physical and mental health conditions. Despite this, nutritional support to patients in psychiatric care is not adequate. Aims: This study aimed to determine the factors underlying the need for nutritional counseling among patients with a mental disorder in psychiatry. The factors explored are eating-related symptoms, eating behavior, interest in food, seeking nutritional counseling, and impact on quality of life (QOL). Methods: We utilized a cross-sectional study design. Eligible patients were asked to complete a questionnaire regarding physical measurements and nutritional counseling. In addition, patients’ diagnoses and blood test data were referenced from their medical records. The analysis focused on two groups: those who desired to consult a nutritionist and those who did not. Results: Ninety-three patients completed the study. The nutritional status and need for nutritional counseling in psychiatry patients indicates that patients with dietary problems requested nutritional counseling ( p < .001). Patients who were more likely to need nutritional counseling had lower QOL in daily life ( p = .011), pain/discomfort ( p = .024), and anxiety/depression ( p = .010) on the EuroQol 5-Dimension 5-level (EQ-5D-5L). Conclusions: Patients with mental disorders who need nutritional counseling tend to have food-related problems and low QOL. It is necessary to establish an interdisciplinary system for nutritional counseling.

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“…10 Further, higher sugar and fat intake is shown to be significantly associated with greater gambling pathology, 11 while robust randomized controlled trials have shown the nutrient supplement n-acetylcysteine (commonly found in protein-rich foods) to improve symptoms across OCRDs spectrum alongside standard treatment. [12][13][14][15] While many studies have relied on cross-sectional data and we therefore cannot infer causal association between lifestyle and compulsive behaviors, causal links between diet factors and OCD-like behaviors have been shown in animal models. 16,17 Research has suggested that individuals with OCD (and without depression) present with a less varied gut microbiome and higher inflammation levels when compared to a nonpsychiatric control group.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For instance, a review of sleep in obsessive-compulsive and related disorders (OCRDs) detected a general trend of increased sleep disturbance in people experiencing OCRDs, with sleep disturbance being more common in OCD and HD [ 10 ]. Further, higher sugar and fat intake is shown to be significantly associated with greater gambling pathology [ 11 ], while robust randomised controlled trials have shown the nutrient supplement n-acetylcysteine (commonly found in protein-rich foods) to improve symptoms across OCRDs spectrum alongside standard treatment [ 12 – 15 ]. While many studies have relied on cross-sectional data and we therefore cannot infer causal association between lifestyle and compulsive behaviours, causal links between diet factors and OCD-like behaviours have been shown in animal models [ 16 , 17 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For instance, cross-sectional studies have not revealed a relationship between exercise and OCD [ 21 ] and, in fact, alcohol use disorder (excluding severe forms) has been associated with higher levels of physical activity [ 22 ]. Yet, acute decreases in OCD symptoms have been reported by participants of moderate intensity physical exercise interventions [ 23 , 24 ] (for a review see [ 12 ]). More generally, physical activity is positively associated with broad mental health outcomes including anxiety and depression [ 25 , 26 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The role of psychological distress in the relationship between lifestyle and compulsivity: An analysis of independent, bi-national samples

et al. 2021

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Background Poor mental health is a state of psychological distress that is influenced by lifestyle factors such as sleep, diet, and physical activity. Compulsivity is a transdiagnostic phenotype cutting across a range of mental illnesses including obsessive–compulsive disorder, substance-related and addictive disorders, and is also influenced by lifestyle. Yet, how lifestyle relates to compulsivity is presently unknown, but important to understand to gain insights into individual differences in mental health. We assessed (a) the relationships between compulsivity and diet quality, sleep quality, and physical activity, and (b) whether psychological distress statistically contributes to these relationships. Methods We collected harmonized data on compulsivity, psychological distress, and lifestyle from two independent samples (Australian n = 880 and US n = 829). We used mediation analyses to investigate bidirectional relationships between compulsivity and lifestyle factors, and the role of psychological distress. Results Higher compulsivity was significantly related to poorer diet and sleep. Psychological distress statistically mediated the relationship between poorer sleep quality and higher compulsivity, and partially statistically mediated the relationship between poorer diet and higher compulsivity. Conclusions Lifestyle interventions in compulsivity may target psychological distress in the first instance, followed by sleep and diet quality. As psychological distress links aspects of lifestyle and compulsivity, focusing on mitigating and managing distress may offer a useful therapeutic approach to improve physical and mental health. Future research may focus on the specific sleep and diet patterns which may alter compulsivity over time to inform lifestyle targets for prevention and treatment of functionally impairing compulsive behaviors.

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Lifestyle Interventions in the Treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders: A Systematic Review

Cited by 9 publications

References 72 publications

Lifestyle risk factors for obsessive-compulsive symptoms and related phenomena: What should lifestyle interventions target?

Lifestyle risk factors for obsessive-compulsive symptoms and related phenomena: What should lifestyle interventions target?

Nutritional counseling needs of patients with mental disorders in psychiatric care: A cross-sectional survey

The role of psychological distress in the relationship between lifestyle and compulsivity: An analysis of independent, bi-national samples

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