title: Development and validation of a computer-based measure of symmetry and arranging behavior in obsessive-compulsive disorder: a preliminary study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  While compulsive ordering and arranging, and a preoccupation with symmetry are common presentations of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), little attention has been given to these types of symptoms in the assessment of patients with OCD. The goal of the present study was to develop and evaluate psychometric properties for the objective and quantitative measurement of compulsive symptoms related to symmetry and arranging.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-five normal volunteers performed computer-simulated environment tasks under four different conditions with or without a target and distraction. Primary dependent variables included several indices of time and manipulation of arranging behaviors. We evaluated the validity of the task by comparing the novel behavioral measures with standardized measures such as the Symmetry, Ordering and Arranging Questionnaire (SOAQ), Obsessive Compulsive Inventory-Revised (OCI-R), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11), and Quality of Life Scale (WHOQOL).
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found a significant positive correlation between the arrangement time (time to complete the task) with the SOAQ score and the "ordering" subscore of the OCI-R. In addition, the number of manipulations was positively correlated with the SOAQ score and the "ordering" subscore of the OCI-R. There were no significant correlations between behavioral parameters and other scales measuring constructs less relevant to the symptoms of OCD related to ordering/symmetry. There was only a significant main effect of the target on the arrangement time.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrates the good convergent and discriminant validity of this task as a novel behavioral measure for the assessment of arranging compulsion symptoms. We can infer from the results that subjects are likely to spend more time in compulsive arranging when the target for the task is given.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Institute of Behavioral Science in Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Korea.
authors.forename: Daeyoung
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Roh
authors.forename: Kwanguk
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jhin-Goo
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Sun I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Chan-Hyung
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003192:Compulsive Behavior / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D003198:Computer Simulation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009770:Obsessive Behavior / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires