An Investigation of Executive Functioning, Attention and Working Memory in Compulsive Hoarding
An Investigation of Executive Functioning, Attention and Working Memory in Compulsive Hoarding
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DOI：
10.1017/s1352465812000835
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发表时间：
2013-10-01
影响因子：
1.8
通讯作者：
Pestell, Carmela
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
McMillan, Sandra G.;Rees, Clare S.;Pestell, Carmela
背景资料：强迫性囤积症包括获得和未能丢弃大量看似无用或价值有限的财产，杂乱的生活空间以及功能上的重大痛苦或损害（Frost和Hartl，1996）。这个问题是多方面的，似乎最好用认知行为框架来解释。目的：本研究旨在通过调查执行功能（如工作记忆和注意力）中的理论认知缺陷来测试Frost和Hartl（1996）强迫性囤积的认知行为模型的一个方面。方法：对24名强迫囤积者进行数字广度、空间广度和威斯康星州卡片分类测验（WCST）测试。结果如下：在WCST测试中，囤积组的持续错误数量（t = 1.67，p = 0.005）显著高于测试标准，完成的类别数量（t =-2.47，p = 0.001）显著低于测试标准。只有“不能维持固定”与囤积严重程度显著相关（r = 0.435，p <0.05）。结论：这些发现支持了一种理论，即强迫性囤积的人有执行功能障碍，这会影响他们处理信息的能力。缺陷与形成有效策略的困难、反馈反应不足、概念形成问题和冲动有关。持续注意力的困难似乎也是囤积严重程度的一个因素。这些发现对于指导更有针对性的临床干预非常重要。
Background: Compulsive Hoarding involves the acquisition of, and failure to discard, a large number of possessions that appear to be useless or of limited value, cluttered living spaces and significant distress or impairment in functioning (Frost and Hartl, 1996). The problem is multifaceted and appears best explained by a cognitive-behavioural framework. Aims: This study set out to test one aspect of Frost and Hartl's (1996) cognitive-behavioural model of compulsive hoarding by investigating theorized cognitive deficits in executive functioning, such as working memory and attention. Method: 24 participants with compulsive hoarding were tested on the Digit Span, Spatial Span and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Tests (WCST). Results: On the WCST, the hoarding group had a significantly higher number of perseveration errors (t = 1.67, p = .005) and significantly lower numbers of categories completed (t = -2.47, p = .001) than test norms. Only "failure to maintain set" was significantly correlated with hoarding severity (r = .435, p < .05). Conclusions: These findings lend support to the theory that people who compulsively hoard have executive dysfunction, which impacts on their ability to process information. Deficits relate to difficulties in forming effective strategies, inadequate feedback response, problems in concept formation, and impulsivity. Difficulties in sustained attention also appeared to be a factor in hoarding severity. These findings are important in directing more targeted clinical interventions.