Stimulation of Cognitive Functions in University Students with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Using Captain’s Log Computerized Cognitive Training Program

Luz María Álvarez

doi:10.11648/j.ajap.20180701.11

Abstract

The Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) has significant implications for quality of life of a person. This study proposes the use of a cognitive stimulation program (Captain´s Log Cognitive Training) to improve the cognitive deficits produced by this disorder. Ten university students with OCD were randomly selected; 4 of them (control group) received psychiatric and pharmacological treatment, and six students (experimental group) received training using a computer program that stimulated the cognitive deficits besides the psychiatric and pharmacological treatment. A pre and posttest neuropsychologic evaluations were applied using the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS-III) and an abbreviated version of the Barcelona Test. Training was carried out twice a week until each subject covered 30 sessions. Significant differences were found (p<0.05) in functions associated with Planning skills, anticipation and organization, verbal fluency, visuoconstructive praxis, working memory and processing speed. Cognitive training helped to improve the intellectual performance of the students who participated in the treatment, reflected in higher flexibility to solve practical problems.

Highlights

The Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is characterized by the presence of obsessions and compulsions that may cause severe discomfort or dysfunction or in general activity. [1]Patients with OCD respond favorably to pharmacological therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy; remission is incomplete in all the patients, since between 20 and 60% of the cases remain with symptoms that can’t disappear despite the treatment. [2]OCD affects between 2 and 3% of world population, while in Mexico, according to the Psychiatric Epidemiological Survey [3], total prevalence was about 2.6%, with an average age of onset of 19 years
Another significant change was in Object Assembly subtest, which is related to functions such as perceptual organization, visuomotor coordination, synthesis of specific parts from a whole, spatial relationships and concentration. These results are impressive because they detect a change in patients who received cognitive training in cognitive functions; that is, on problem-solving skills, since OCD patients characteristically tend to create fixed pattern behaviors and perseverance, due to their inability to change the pattern when an alternative response is required
Pharmacological treatment combined with cognitive stimulation reinforces these changes

Summary

Introduction

Patients with OCD respond favorably to pharmacological therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy; remission is incomplete in all the patients, since between 20 and 60% of the cases remain with symptoms that can’t disappear despite the treatment. OCD affects between 2 and 3% of world population, while in Mexico, according to the Psychiatric Epidemiological Survey [3], total prevalence was about 2.6%, with an average age of onset of 19 years. OCD is one of the disorders with more comorbidities within mental illnesses. It is associated with other disorders such as major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, social anxiety disorder, specific phobias and generalized anxiety disorder. In order to treat OCD symptoms, besides pharmacological treatment, several therapies have been used to obtain higher functionality in these cases. Other therapies used are Individual Cognitive Psychotherapy [7], Acceptance and Commitment Therapy [8], Evidence-based treatment [9], Neuropsychological Rehabilitation [10] or cognitive stimulation programs to enhance cognitive decline. [11]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion