PLAY-BASED ADAPTATIONS OF COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL THERAPY AND EXPOSURE WITH RESPONSE PREVENTION FOR PEDIATRIC OCD

Abstract

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a neuropsychiatric condition characterized by intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors that cause significant anxiety, impacting various areas of an individual's life. Although OCD affects individuals of all ages, the literature has frequently focused on its manifestation in adulthood. However, it is crucial to recognize that symptoms can manifest during childhood, warranting special attention due to the impact on a child's social, emotional, and academic development. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)—specifically Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)—is recognized as a first-line treatment for OCD across all age groups. In childhood, its application can be adapted to the child's developmental stage, and play-based resources can facilitate understanding of and engagement with therapeutic strategies. This study aims to describe, through a narrative literature review, how play-based resources are utilized in CBT for treating childhood OCD; it outlines their characteristics, techniques, and strategies while identifying associated benefits and challenges. The research is qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive, involving a critical analysis of scientific literature—including books, articles, and theses published primarily between 2015 and 2025—sourced from databases such as Google Scholar, SciELO, and the CAPES Portal. Specific descriptors and rigorous inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to focus on the pediatric population and the use of play as a central therapeutic tool. The discussion addresses the epidemiological profile of childhood OCD, the disorder's effects on child development, and neuropsychological changes in executive functions associated with the cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical circuit. It also examines play-based intervention strategies integrated into CBT, highlighting the use of games and other resources that can assist in addressing childhood OCD.