Clinical Psychology Studies

Clinical Psychology Studies

The Effects of RehaCom Cognitive Rehabilitation Software and Exposure–Response Prevention Therapy on Neuropsychological and Clinical Indices in Patients with Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
ُُShamsoddin Kahani 1
Ghasem Naziri 2
Masoud Mohamadi 2
Sajad Aminimanesh 2
1 Ph.D. student in Clinical Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Shiraz Branch, Department of Clinical Psychology, Shiraz, Iran.
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Clinical Psychology, Shiraz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shiraz, Iran.
10.22054/jcps.2026.89383.3301
Abstract
Background and Aim: Behavioral therapy is effective in obsessive–compulsive disorder, yet treatment-related anxiety and non-response in some patients highlight the need to understand underlying neurobiological mechanisms. This study compared the effects of cognitive rehabilitation) CR) and exposure–response prevention (ERP) on neurocognitive and clinical outcomes in OCD, focusing on frontal dysfunction.
Research Methodology: A single-case experimental design with multiple nonconcurrent baselines was used. Six patients (aged 17–48 years) were purposively sampled and randomly assigned to CR  and ERP (24 individual sessions each, plus 2-month follow-up). Assessment  included the Tower of London, Wisconsin Card Sorting, Stroop, N-Back, Yale–Brown Obsessive–Compulsive Scale and Beck Depression Inventory. Data were analyzed using percentage improvement, effect size, reliable change index, and cut-off points.
Findings: Both interventions significantly reduced OCD and depressive symptoms. CR showed superior clinical efficacy on neurocognitive outcomes compared to ERP during both intervention and follow-up (Z > 1.96, p < .05).
Conclusion: CR enhances executive functions and, alongside ERP, significantly improves OCD and depressive symptoms. CR can be effectively utilized by clinical practitioners as an adjunctive intervention.
Keywords
obsessive–compulsive disorder
depression
neuropsychological indices (problem solving
flexibility
response inhibition
working memory)
cognitive rehabilitation
exposure and response prevention
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Clinical Psychology Studies
Volume 16, Issue 61
Autumn 2025
Pages 79-98