International Journal of Behavioral Sciences

International Journal of Behavioral Sciences

The Effectiveness of Cognitive Training based on Remote Associations on Improving Cognitive Function: Attention of Patients with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Soghra Akbari Chermahini
Mersad Khalaji
Department of Psychology, Arak University, Arak, Iran
10.30491/ijbs.2025.499117.2193
Abstract
Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of cognitive training based on remote associations on attention in patients with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
Method: This is a quasi-experimental, single-baseline A.B.A. Three adults (28-year-old male, unmarried; 30-year-old female, married; 30-year-old male, married) with OCD who referred to the Brain and Cognition Clinic in Tehran in 2023 were selected using available sampling method. The Yale-Brown scale and Continuous Performance Task (CPT) were answered in several stages including pre-test, post-test1-3 (with 5 days between), and follow-up (one month after post-test 3). In training sessions, the participants were asked to do cognitive training based on remote associations for 15 days. A set of 180 Persian words with moderate emotional loads were used. When seeing each word (12 words every day), the participants must have said the first three words or concepts which came to their mind, and had to write the relationship of those words to the main word. The results were demonstrated by graphs and improved effectiveness percentage.
Results: Graphic analyzes were used, as well as the effect size. The results indicated that cognitive training based on remote associations was effective in reducing obsessions and improving attention in OCD. The error rate and reaction time in the CPT were significantly reduced, and it can be said that the participants' sustained attention improved after the aforementioned training.
Conclusion: It could be stated that cognitive training programs that include remote association training along with other intervention methods might be useful in improving cognitive performance specifically sustained attention in patients with OCD.
Keywords
Cognitive Training
Association
Attention
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
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International Journal of Behavioral Sciences
Volume 19, Issue 2
Summer 2025
Pages 77-83