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A structured lifestyle intervention to reduce cardiometabolic risk factors in individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder : feasibility trial

Holmberg, Anna LU ; Lidin, Matthias ; Lenninger, Dante ; Asplund, Sofia ; Lavebratt, Catharina ; Rück, Christian ; Martinsson, Lina ; Mataix-Cols, David LU and Fernández De La Cruz, Lorena (2025) In BJPsych Open 11(5).
Abstract

Background Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is associated with an increased risk of cardiometabolic disorders. We developed a lifestyle intervention, named LIFT, aimed at improving lifestyle habits (physical activity, diet, alcohol and tobacco use, stress, sleep) and reducing cardiometabolic risk factors in OCD. Aims This study aimed to establish the feasibility and acceptability of LIFT, evaluate its preliminary efficacy and explore experiences of participation. Method Individuals with OCD and at least three cardiometabolic risk factors (e.g. physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, overweight/obesity, dyslipidaemia) were offered LIFT, consisting of one individual session to set individual goals, six educational group sessions and 12... (More)

Background Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is associated with an increased risk of cardiometabolic disorders. We developed a lifestyle intervention, named LIFT, aimed at improving lifestyle habits (physical activity, diet, alcohol and tobacco use, stress, sleep) and reducing cardiometabolic risk factors in OCD. Aims This study aimed to establish the feasibility and acceptability of LIFT, evaluate its preliminary efficacy and explore experiences of participation. Method Individuals with OCD and at least three cardiometabolic risk factors (e.g. physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, overweight/obesity, dyslipidaemia) were offered LIFT, consisting of one individual session to set individual goals, six educational group sessions and 12 exercise group sessions, delivered over 3 months. We collected baseline, post-intervention and 3-month follow-up measures. Preliminary efficacy variables were analysed with linear mixed models and within-group effect sizes. Qualitative interviews were conducted. Results Out of 147 screened individuals, 25 were included (68% women, mean age 37.4, s.d. = 10.9). Credibility and satisfaction were high, attrition rates were low (16%) and the programme was generally safe. Recruitment and adherence to the intervention were challenging. Statistically significant improvements were observed in dietary habits, alcohol consumption, stress, OCD symptom severity and general functioning (within-group effect sizes ranging from 0.27 to 0.56). No changes were observed in physical activity, sleep or any physiological or laboratory measures. Conclusions Overall, LIFT was a feasible intervention for individuals with OCD. Effects on lifestyle habits, mental health and functioning are promising. Fully powered randomised controlled trials are needed to evaluate its efficacy and cost-effectiveness.

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author
; ; ; ; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
cardiometabolic risk factors, feasibility trial, lifestyle intervention, Obsessive-compulsive disorder, prevention
in
BJPsych Open
volume
11
issue
5
article number
e171
publisher
Cambridge University Press
external identifiers
  • pmid:40746134
  • scopus:105012381474
ISSN
2056-4724
DOI
10.1192/bjo.2025.10774
language
English
LU publication?
yes
additional info
Publisher Copyright: © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Royal College of Psychiatrists.
id
3c209974-c9c6-4bfb-a044-a8ac31725c44
date added to LUP
2025-12-03 13:41:01
date last changed
2025-12-17 15:23:40
@article{3c209974-c9c6-4bfb-a044-a8ac31725c44,
  abstract     = {{<p>Background Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is associated with an increased risk of cardiometabolic disorders. We developed a lifestyle intervention, named LIFT, aimed at improving lifestyle habits (physical activity, diet, alcohol and tobacco use, stress, sleep) and reducing cardiometabolic risk factors in OCD. Aims This study aimed to establish the feasibility and acceptability of LIFT, evaluate its preliminary efficacy and explore experiences of participation. Method Individuals with OCD and at least three cardiometabolic risk factors (e.g. physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, overweight/obesity, dyslipidaemia) were offered LIFT, consisting of one individual session to set individual goals, six educational group sessions and 12 exercise group sessions, delivered over 3 months. We collected baseline, post-intervention and 3-month follow-up measures. Preliminary efficacy variables were analysed with linear mixed models and within-group effect sizes. Qualitative interviews were conducted. Results Out of 147 screened individuals, 25 were included (68% women, mean age 37.4, s.d. = 10.9). Credibility and satisfaction were high, attrition rates were low (16%) and the programme was generally safe. Recruitment and adherence to the intervention were challenging. Statistically significant improvements were observed in dietary habits, alcohol consumption, stress, OCD symptom severity and general functioning (within-group effect sizes ranging from 0.27 to 0.56). No changes were observed in physical activity, sleep or any physiological or laboratory measures. Conclusions Overall, LIFT was a feasible intervention for individuals with OCD. Effects on lifestyle habits, mental health and functioning are promising. Fully powered randomised controlled trials are needed to evaluate its efficacy and cost-effectiveness.</p>}},
  author       = {{Holmberg, Anna and Lidin, Matthias and Lenninger, Dante and Asplund, Sofia and Lavebratt, Catharina and Rück, Christian and Martinsson, Lina and Mataix-Cols, David and Fernández De La Cruz, Lorena}},
  issn         = {{2056-4724}},
  keywords     = {{cardiometabolic risk factors; feasibility trial; lifestyle intervention; Obsessive-compulsive disorder; prevention}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{08}},
  number       = {{5}},
  publisher    = {{Cambridge University Press}},
  series       = {{BJPsych Open}},
  title        = {{A structured lifestyle intervention to reduce cardiometabolic risk factors in individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder : feasibility trial}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1192/bjo.2025.10774}},
  doi          = {{10.1192/bjo.2025.10774}},
  volume       = {{11}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}