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. 2013 Feb 28;9:307–316. doi: 10.2147/NDT.S41074

Table 3.

Cognitive or behavioral treatment for BDD: meta-analysis

References Treatment assessed Studies analyzed (n) Response
Williams et al31 Pharmacotherapy (clomipramine, fluvoxamine, fluoxetine, citalopram) and CBT (ERP; CT; ERP + CT) 15 studies

  1. Five pharmacological (1 RCT; 3 case series; 1 crossover)

  2. 10 CBT (2 RCT; 8 case series)

 Both approaches were effective with small advantage of CBT in reduction of severity of BDD symptoms
Ipser et al32 Pharmacotherapy (clomipramine versus desipramine and fluoxetine versus placebo) and CBT (ERP; ERP + CT) 5 studies

  1. Two pharmacological (2 RCT)

  2. Three CBT (3 RCT)

 Both approaches were effective, with no advantage of CBT. Differences in study design prohibited synthesis of data from pharmacotherapy trials

Abbreviations: n, number of samples; ERP, exposure and response prevention; CT, cognitive therapy; RCT, randomized controlled trial; CBT, cognitive behavioral therapy; BDD, body dysmorphic disorder.