title: Effects of clutter on information processing deficits in individuals with hoarding disorder.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Current cognitive behavioral models of hoarding view hoarding as a multifaceted problem stemming from various information processing deficits. However, there is also reason to suspect that the consequences of hoarding may in turn impact or modulate deficits in information processing. The current study sought to expand upon the existing literature by manipulating clutter to examine whether the presence of a cluttered environment affects information processing.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants included 34 individuals with hoarding disorder. Participants were randomized into a clutter or non-clutter condition and asked to complete various neuropsychological tasks of memory and attention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results revealed that hoarding severity was associated with difficulties in sustained attention. However, individuals in the clutter condition relative to the non-clutter condition did not experience greater deficits in information processing.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Limitations include the cross-sectional design and small sample size.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The current findings add considerably to a growing body of literature on the relationships between information processing deficits and hoarding behaviors. Research of this type is integral to understanding the etiology and maintenance of hoarding.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Florida State University, 1107 W. Call St, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA.
authors.forename: Amanda M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Raines
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Miami, 5665 Ponce de Leon Blvd, Coral Gables, FL 33146, USA. Electronic address: kiaratimpano@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Kiara R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Timpano
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Florida State University, 1107 W. Call St, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA.
authors.forename: Norman B
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Schmidt
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D000067836:Hoarding Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008606:Mental Processes; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Attention; Clutter; Hoarding; Information processing