The Role of Cognitive Rehabilitation in Reduction of Executive Function Deficits and Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms in Schizo-Obsessive Patients

Some studies have found that schizo – obsessive patients have more deficits in cognitive functions. "Pathophysiological double jeopardy" theory suppose that in schizo – obsessive patients, cognitive impairments of obsessive – compulsive (OC) disorder are added to cognitive deficits of schizophrenia. The aim of the present study was determining that is there inter – relationship between OC symptoms and executive functions (EF)? If so improvement of EF may result to improvement of OC symptoms. Thus in a exploratory study and by a multi case design with multiple baseline, 4 inpatient with schizo – obsessive diagnosis were treated by cognitive rehabilitation to improve EF. Their clinical and cognitive changes were measured weekly. The results demonstrated that cognitive rehabilitation reduced OC symptoms in at least two patient and improved their performance on EF tests. Furthermore a significant association was observed between the rate of improvement in EF and reduction OC symptoms. The results provide evidence for supporting of inter – relationship of OC symptoms and EF.