Adopting Bergen 4-Day Treatment for OCD at Institute of Mental Health
Care Continuum
Care Process & Redesign
National Healthcare Innovation and Productivity Medals
National Healthcare Group
28 November 2025
The primary aim of the Bergen 4-Day Treatment (B4DT) is to build patients' self-efficacy by guiding them to confront anxiety. The successful adoption of the B4DT treatment for OCD in Singapore demonstrates it as a mainstream, fast, and effective treatment.
Year Submitted: 2025
Published Date: 28 November 2025
Tags: Patient Satisfaction, Care Continuum, Population Health, Mental Health, Preventive Care, Patient Education, Care Process ＆ Redesign, Quality Improvement, Clinical Practice Improvement, Value Based Care
About this Content
Aims
The primary aim of the Bergen 4-Day Treatment (B4DT) is to build patients' self-efficacy by guiding them to confront anxiety triggers and tolerate distressing feelings/thoughts instead of relying on compulsions or avoidance behaviours.
Background
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) affects 3.6% of Singapore's population. Standard ERP faces challenges such as high drop-out rates, lengthy treatment duration, and limited availability of trained therapists. B4DT has emerged as a promising alternative, gaining international recognition due to its short duration and significant clinical improvements.
Methods
B4DT was piloted at IMH by the Department of Mood & Anxiety and Department of Psychology, in collaboration with Haukeland University Hospital. The pilot phase was funded by the Woodbridge Hospital Charity Fund and Kavli Trust, supporting 8 pilot runs from Oct 2022 to Nov 2023, benefitting 43 patients in total.
Results
Results at 10-day follow-up showed 63% of patients reported clinically significant reduction in OCD symptoms, 14% showed at least partial response, and large effect sizes were observed. Significant OCD symptom reduction was mostly maintained at 3-month follow-up, with a dropout rate of less than 2%.
Conclusion
The successful adoption of the B4DT treatment for OCD in Singapore demonstrates it as a mainstream, fast, and effective treatment option, setting a new standard of care.
Lessons Learnt
Cultural differences between Western countries and Singapore required modifications to the B4DT approach, such as more time and attention to family sessions and promoting patient self-efficacy and autonomy.
Additional Information
The pilot phase was funded by the Woodbridge Hospital Charity Fund and Kavli Trust, supporting 8 pilot runs from Oct 2022 to Nov 2023, benefitting 43 patients in total.
This project has won National Healthcare Innovation and Productivity Awards 2025 under Best Adopter category.
Keywords
OCD, ERP, B4DT, therapy, treatment, anxiety, depression, quality of life, patient satisfaction
Innovators' Details
Innovators' Details
Healthcare Cluster(s) | National Healthcare Group |
Organization(s) Involved | Institute of Mental Health, Haukeland University Hospital |
Platform(s) | National Healthcare Innovation and Productivity Medals |
Healthcare Professional Group(s) | Allied Health, Healthcare Administration, Medical |
Applicable Specialty or Discipline | Allied Health, Medical Social Workers, Psychology, Medical, Psychiatry |
Project Lead(s) | Jackki Yim Hoon Eng |
Project Member(s) | Tammie Kwek Rong Rong |
Connect with this contributor!
Jackki Yim Hoon Eng - jackki.he.yim@nhghealth.com.sg
Bhanu Gupta - gupta.bhanu@nhghealth.com.sg
Tammie Kwek Rong Rong - tammie.rr.kwek@nhghealth.com.sg
Project Attachment
857_IMH_NHIP_2025_Adopting_Bergen_4_Day_Treatment_for_OCD_at_Institute_of_Mental_Health.pdf