A study on the executive function and working memory ability in patients with social phobia

Abstract

Objective To explore the executive function and working memory ability of patients with social phobia. Methods The study included 42 social phobia patients whose age, sex, and level of education were matched with those of a healthy control group. Wisconsin Card Sorting Test and Digit Span, Spatial Span, Multiple-Objects-Spatial span were used to study the executive function and working memory. Results Patients with social phobia scored higher than the control group in terms of the number of non perseverative errors on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test ( 18. 75 ± 6. 20, 8. 89 ± 3. 22 respectively ). No differences were observed in perseverative errors and other scores between the patient and control group. Patients with social phobia scored lower than the control group in terms of Digit Span(7.25 ±1.35,8.03 ±2. 30 respectively) ,Spatial Span(6. 11±1.85,8.61 ±2.87 respectively) and Multiple-Objects-Spatial span(4.03 ± 1. 39 ,5. 18 ± 1.07 respectively). Conclusion Working memory ability in the social phobia patients is impaired, and this may cause the poor performance in patients with the social phobia in academic and social working. Key words: Social phobia; Executive functions; Working memory