2,036 research outputs found
Virtual Reality for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Past and the Future
The use of computers, especially for virtual reality (VR), to understand, assess, and treat various mental health problems has been developed for the last decade, including application for phobia, post-traumatic stress disorder, attention deficits, and schizophrenia. However, the number of VR tools addressing obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is still lacking due to the heterogeneous symptoms of OCD and poor understanding of the relationship between VR and OCD. This article reviews the empirical literatures for VR tools in the future, which involve applications for both clinical work and experimental research in this area, including examining symptoms using VR according to OCD patients' individual symptoms, extending OCD research in the VR setting to also study behavioral and physiological correlations of the symptoms, and expanding the use of VR for OCD to cognitive-behavioral intervention
Repetitively counting sheep: Sleep as a moderator of executive function performance on obsessive-compulsive symptoms
As a leading cause of disability worldwide, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is associated with considerable costs on individual and economic levels. According to a U.S. national comorbidity survey, approximately 28% of individuals experience obsessive-compulsive (OC) symptoms in their lifetime. As with most psychiatric disorders, sleep disturbances are highly prevalent in individuals with OCD and have been linked to greater severity of OC symptoms and poorer treatment response. Similarly, deficient executive functioning (EF) has been demonstrated in OCD, with research evidencing a connection between EF impairment and OCD course, symptom severity, and treatment response. Sleep difficulties are also implicated in impaired EF, as the primary brain region responsible for EF (i.e., the prefrontal cortex) seems to be particularly vulnerable to inadequate sleep. Given high dropout rates and residual symptoms following OCD treatment, a better understanding of these relations (OCD, EF, and sleep) might contribute to improved treatment success. The current study examined associations among these constructs, hypothesizing that sleep impairment would moderate the relationship between EF performance and OC symptom severity. A nonclinical sample of university undergraduates and community members (N = 91; Mage = 25.87; SD = 12.50; 86.8% White; 68.1% female) completed a series of online self-report measures and computerized cognitive performance tasks. Though, as expected, both sleep and depressive symptoms significantly predicted OC symptom severity, EF performance was not associated with other variables of interest at even the basic correlational level. Extant literature points to enumerable factors (e.g., clinical symptom levels, use of OC-relevant stimuli in EF tasks, comorbid disorders, medication effects, etc.) potentially contributing to the EF-OCD relationship, particularly where sleep is concerned. Perhaps, EF deficits emerge once symptoms have reached clinical severity, which only a small portion of the current sample endorsed. Limited symptom variance, remote data collection, and videoconferencing methodology also likely contributed to null findings. Future research should extend this study to an in-person, laboratory paradigm using clinical samples. As a relatively unstudied area with potential to better understand the experience and course of OCD, continued research is needed to investigate specific emotional and behavioral elements impacting the EF-OCD relationship with co-occurring sleep factors
An investigation of memory deficits and executive function in adults reporting high checking behaviours
Cognitive-behavioural models have been proposed to explain the development and maintenance of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and checking symptoms. Previous research has examined models relating to cognitive dysfunction, including the memory deficits and executive impairments. Evidence to support these models is inconclusive. Researchers suggest that it may be more fruitful to examine memory and executive function as involving several independent processes rather than treating them as unitary processes. It has also been suggested that memory impairments may be secondary to executive dysfunction. Reported work examining this relationship is limited. Studies investigating checking behaviours have highlighted the role of belief and appraisal models. In particular, memory confidence and perceived responsibility has been examined. The relative contribution of these variables, when examining memory deficits and executive dysfunction, is uncertain. This work programme had the objective of examining the relative contribution of different cognitive-behavioural models to checking symptoms across four different studies. Prospective memory deficits and familiarity biases were found to be related to checking symptom severity. These findings suggest that, when examining memory deficits, independent memory processes should be considered. Inhibitory function was shown to consistently predict checking symptom severity, suggesting that executive dysfunction is related to a specific dimension of cognitive regulation. Inhibitory impairments were not shown to be solely related to the presence of OCD symptoms, with similar inhibition deficits in an OCD and anxiety group. Additionally, inhibition was demonstrated to independently contribute to compulsive but not obsessive symptoms, when anxiety was taken into account. These findings highlighted the role of anxiety and inhibition in relation to compulsive symptoms. Correlation and mediation analyses across this work demonstrated that there is no relationship between memory impairments and inhibition. It was concluded that both memory deficits and inhibition independently contribute to the checking symptom profile. When memory confidence and perceived responsibility were examined in the same model as memory and inhibition, only perceived responsibility was found to be an independent predictor of checking symptom severity. The results from each of the four studies reported here have potential implications for future research examining cognitive-behavioural models of checking. It is suggested that an integrated model of checking may be useful in helping to develop a better understanding of the onset and maintenance of the disorder.Cognitive-behavioural models have been proposed to explain the development and maintenance of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and checking symptoms. Previous research has examined models relating to cognitive dysfunction, including the memory deficits and executive impairments. Evidence to support these models is inconclusive. Researchers suggest that it may be more fruitful to examine memory and executive function as involving several independent processes rather than treating them as unitary processes. It has also been suggested that memory impairments may be secondary to executive dysfunction. Reported work examining this relationship is limited. Studies investigating checking behaviours have highlighted the role of belief and appraisal models. In particular, memory confidence and perceived responsibility has been examined. The relative contribution of these variables, when examining memory deficits and executive dysfunction, is uncertain. This work programme had the objective of examining the relative contribution of different cognitive-behavioural models to checking symptoms across four different studies. Prospective memory deficits and familiarity biases were found to be related to checking symptom severity. These findings suggest that, when examining memory deficits, independent memory processes should be considered. Inhibitory function was shown to consistently predict checking symptom severity, suggesting that executive dysfunction is related to a specific dimension of cognitive regulation. Inhibitory impairments were not shown to be solely related to the presence of OCD symptoms, with similar inhibition deficits in an OCD and anxiety group. Additionally, inhibition was demonstrated to independently contribute to compulsive but not obsessive symptoms, when anxiety was taken into account. These findings highlighted the role of anxiety and inhibition in relation to compulsive symptoms. Correlation and mediation analyses across this work demonstrated that there is no relationship between memory impairments and inhibition. It was concluded that both memory deficits and inhibition independently contribute to the checking symptom profile. When memory confidence and perceived responsibility were examined in the same model as memory and inhibition, only perceived responsibility was found to be an independent predictor of checking symptom severity. The results from each of the four studies reported here have potential implications for future research examining cognitive-behavioural models of checking. It is suggested that an integrated model of checking may be useful in helping to develop a better understanding of the onset and maintenance of the disorder
Assessing Sexual Orientation-Related Obsessions and Compulsions in Italian Heterosexual Individuals: Development and Validation of the Sexual Orientation Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (SO-OCS)
Sexual Orientation-Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (SO-OCD) is characterized by intrusive thoughts, images, and urges related to one's sexual orientation, and by consequent avoidance, reassurance seeking, and overt and covert compulsions. Currently there is no short self-report measure that assesses SO-OCD symptoms. The current article describes two studies that develop and evaluate the first version of the Sexual Orientation Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (SO-OCS), a 14-item Italian self-report measure targeted towards heterosexual individuals. In Study 1, the SO-OCS was developed and refined through item analysis and exploratory factor analysis from an initial pool of 33 items administered to 732 Italian nonclinical participants. The SO-OCS showed a unidimensional structure and an acceptable internal consistency. In Study 2, the factor structure, internal consistency, temporal stability, construct and criterion validity, and diagnostic sensitivity of the SO-OCS were investigated in three samples of Italian participants (294 from the general population, 52 OCD patients who reported sexual orientation-related symptoms or concerns as a primary complaint, and 51 OCD patients who did not report these symptoms as primary complaint). The SO-OCS was again found to have a unidimensional structure and good internal consistency, as well as to exhibit strong construct validity. Specifically, the SO-OCS showed an excellent criterion validity and diagnostic sensitivity, as it successfully discriminated between those with SO-OCD and all other groups of participants. Finally, evidence of temporal stability of the SO-OCS in a nonclinical subsample was found. The SO-OCS holds promise as a measure of SO-OCD symptoms in heterosexual individuals
The neuropsychology of obsessive-compulsive symptoms
Obsessive-compulsive (OC) symptoms occur in a variety of clinical conditions, but the underlying pathogenesis of these symptoms remains elusive. Few neuropsychological investigations have compared idiopathic Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) with patient groups where OC symptoms are acquired. The present study investigated the neuropsychological correlates of OC symptoms in OCD and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a neurodegenerative illness in which OC symptoms are often acquired. Neuroimaging in OCD has consistently implicated the frontal-striatal-thalamic circuit, particularly the orbitofrontal cortex and basal ganglia. These areas overlap considerably with the sites of cerebral pathology found in FTD. OCD has been associated with a number of neuropsychological deficits, with most consistent findings pointing towards impaired executive function (EF), and less commonly reported deficits in visual memory and visuospatial ability. The neuropsychological hallmark of FTD is deficits in EF. However in both OCD and FTD, the relationship between cognitive deficits and OC symptoms remains unclear. Further, the extent to which OC symptoms are comparable between the groups is ambiguous. Part I of the present study compared 19 OCD subjects to 20 age, education and IQ-matched healthy controls on a battery of neuropsychological tests of all major cognitive domains with emphasis on EF. A measure of Theory of Mind (ToM) thought to be sensitive to orbitofrontal function was also administered. OCD subjects performed worse than controls on a measure of visual memory, visuospatial reasoning and on only one measure of EF. OCD symptom subtypes, as measured by the Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory (OCI), were not correlated with any cognitive deficits. No group differences in ToM were found. It is suggested that prior research has overestimated the severity and significance of EF deficits in OCD. Part II of the study compared 9 FTD participants with 10 matched healthy controls on the same neuropsychological test battery and OC symptom measures. In addition, a measure of compulsive behaviours used in neurological populations was administered to carers. While the incidence of OC symptoms was comparable to reports in previous studies (78%), the OCI was not sensitive in the detection of OC symptoms in FTD. The similarities and differences in OC symptoms between the two patient groups are discussed
An fMRI Investigation of Source Memory in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Individuals with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) often complain about poor memory and evidence suggests that individuals with OCD exhibit deficits on some tasks, including those that are unrelated to obsessional concerns. As individuals with OCD tend to focus on details and miss the larger context, the construct of source (contextual) memory may be particularly relevant to memory complaints in OCD. Memory for different types of information (object versus contextual information) may rely on distinct regions within the prefrontal cortex and medial temporal lobe, and may be differentially impacted by obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Using a novel task, 16 individuals with OCD and 17 age, education, and gender matched healthy control group participants studied objects in the context of four rooms. While undergoing functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), participants completed source and object recognition testing. While no significant differences were found between the two groups in terms of behavioral performance, individuals with OCD exhibited greater task related activation in the left medial prefrontal cortex, premotor cortex, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, right parietal region, and posterior cingulate cortical areas relative to healthy controls during correct source verses object recognition trials. Results are discussed in terms of compensatory activation and altered activation patterns in individuals with OCD
Self-help Therapy for Obsessive-compulsive Disorder
The aim of this research was to investigate the use of self-help therapy for the treatment of Obsessive-compulsive disorder. Firstly, a meta-analytic study found that self-help therapy for OCD improved symptoms across varying levels of therapeutic contact. The second study strengthened the evidence surrounding the metacognitive model, finding significant relationships between OCD symptoms and metacognition. In the third and fourth studies, an online metacognitive program for OCD was developed and evaluated within a preliminary trial
Virtual reality assessment for obsessive compulsive disorder: a review
The use of advance computer-based technology is becoming necessary to address the growing complexity of human problems and enhance effective communication. The recent pandemic COVID-19 not only induces many morbidities and mortalities but also intensifies mental health problem worldwide. Due to the increasing benefits of virtual reality (VR) in addressing medical condition, it is believed that VR can be used as a diagnostic tool to assess numerous medical conditions and psychiatric disorders. To date, there is still scarce evidence of VR as a diagnostic tool to assess obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). In this study, we had conducted a systematic review to investigate the use of VR as a diagnostic tool for OCD and assess its benefits and weaknesses in comparison to computer-assisted tools. Comprehensive searches of electronic databases including PubMed and Google Scholar were undertaken to discover peer review evidence of computer-based simulation tasks in detecting OCD symptoms. Twelve out of 9325 papers were screened and reviewed. Five articles reported on computerised tools and seven articles described VR tools. In comparison to computer-based tasks, VR is a promising assessment tool due to specific virtual environments and high resolutions which are able to induce anxiety symptoms. Despite numerous shortcomings, assessment can be utilised in computerised form to detect and generate a variety of psychiatry diagnoses among the general population. Although computerised assessment task and VR show promising results, the finding are uneven due to study design differences, wide variability content task use, small sample size, several methodological issue with the computerised tasks and lack of appropriate control groups. In conclusion, the choice to use computerisation or VR for OCD assessment will depend on aim, content, technical equipment and budget. More in-depth studies of these issues are required
Comparing autism and OCD within a Compulsive and Repetitive Trait framework : do Free Will beliefs predict clinical symptoms?
Background Although a range of evidence suggests links between OCD and autism, there remains a lack of clarity on how symptoms may be related between these disorders. Repetitive traits are key components in both OCD and autism. Understanding the functions and origins of these traits is crucial. Repetitive traits in OCD are ego-dystonic, therefore related to distress. However, the nature of repetitive traits in autism is less clear. Historically, they were assumed to be ego-syntonic, therefore opposed to distress. However, recent evidence indicates ego-dystonic andego-syntonic properties of repetitive traits may be demonstrated in autism. The main aim in the present thesis, therefore, is to investigate the relationship between mood and repetitive traits in autism and OCD. These findings would indicate whether disorders such as autism and OCD may be better understood within a Compulsive and Repetitive Trait (CaRT) framework. A pilot investigation is also put forward to investigate whether free will beliefs – an unstudied concept in autism research – may offer further insight into a CaRT framework.Method A cross-sectional questionnaire method compared adults with autism, OCD and neurotypical peers on OCD traits, Repetitive Behaviours and Free Will beliefs.Results Repetitive Behaviours were comparable in number and frequency between the OCD and autism groups, with higher positive mood in the autism group. OCD traits were highest in number and severity for the OCD group, although significantly higher in the autism compared to the control group. Groups did not differ on the presence of CaRTs due to social context. Strong correlations were identified between OCD traits and Repetitive Behaviours, despite no correlations being found between mood associated with these traits. No differences in free will beliefs were demonstrated between the groups, although there was some indication of the significance of Scientific Determinism beliefs in autism.Conclusions The research presented appears to support the usefulness of a CaRT framework to compare symptomology between autism and OCD. Mood appears to be an important factor in distinguishing between CaRTs. Comparable free will scores indicate clinical behaviours (CaRTs) may be relatively independent of free will beliefs. Limitations are discussed, which may have masked stronger evidence, such as the unrepresentative nature of the samples
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