Obsessional slowness: a case study.

BACKGROUND

Obsessional slowness is a rare psychiatric disorder with few treatment options and limited research to date. Some suggest that targeted behavioural interventions may reduce the time taken for functional daily activities.

PURPOSE

To examine whether a behavioural intervention would reduce the amount of time taken for an adolescent with obsessional slowness to walk to class.

METHODS

A single-subject A-B-A withdrawal design was incorporated into this case study. The treatment involved one-to-one pacing and prompting during the subject's walk to gym class. Walking times to gym class were measured during a baseline phase, during a one-month treatment phase, and during a post-treatment follow-up phase.

FINDINGS

The subject's walking times decreased during the treatment phase. Post-treatment walking times suggested a carry-over effect.

IMPLICATIONS

This study adds to the sparse evidence on treatments for obsessional slowness and suggests occupation-based treatment options.