title: Neuropsychological impairment in obsessive-compulsive disorder--improvement over the course of cognitive behavioral treatment.
abstract: A large body of studies demonstrates mild cognitive dysfunction in patients with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Few trials have investigated whether this dysfunction can be improved by treatment. Thirty unmedicated inpatients with OCD were administered a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery before and after 12 weeks of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Thirty-nine carefully matched healthy controls were tested twice within the same interval. At baseline, patients exhibited significant impairments on several tests which normalized at follow-up. A significant group x time interaction was found for tests of nonverbal memory, set shifting and flexible, self guided behavior. Major responders improved significantly more than minor responders on the Rey-Osterrieth Figure immediate and delayed recall. Results suggest that cognitive dysfunction in OCD can improve in the course of treatment. We hypothesize that particularly cognitive behavioral treatment enables OCD patients to think and act in a more flexible way that helps them to develop more effective cognitive strategies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Katrin Kuelz
authors.forename: Dieter
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Riemann
authors.forename: Ulrike
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Halsband
authors.forename: Kirstin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vielhaber
authors.forename: Josef
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Unterrainer
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kordon
authors.forename: Ulrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Voderholzer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000502:physiology; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D011340:Problem Solving / Q000502:physiology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors