The Comparison of Executive Functions and Working Memory in Individuals with Obsessive - Compulsive Disorder and Normal People

The aim of this study was to compare the executive functions and working memory in individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder and normal people. The design of this study is causal- comparative. The statistical society included all patients referred to Iranian health center in semnan in 1393. From this society, 30 people with obsessive-compulsive disorder were choosen with available sampling method. To select individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder, people that had been diagnosed obsessive-compulsive disorder by clinical psychologist were interviewed and completed related test again. For choosing comparison group, 30 normal people were matched and selected by available sampling method. In this study, Wechsler digit span test, continuous performance test, index cards Wisconsin test and the test of the Tower of London was used to collect data. For data analysis, multivariate and univariate analysis of covariance was used. Results of data analysis showed that the function of people with obsessive-compulsive disorder in working memory and executive function (the ability of attention maintaining, ability of movement and ability of scheduling) is weaker than normal people. Despite the poor performance in inhibition response by those with obsessive-compulsive disorder than normal controls, difference between two groups was not significant. Individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder have some deficits in executive functions and working memory.