6533b833fe1ef96bd129c30e
RESEARCH PRODUCT
A computational approach for the assessment of executive functions in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder
Filippo La PagliaGiuseppe RivaDaniele La BarberaElisa PedroliCaterina La CasciaPietro Cipressosubject
050103 clinical psychologyDecision treeObsessive–compulsive disordersObsessive-compulsive disordersVirtual realityObsessive–compulsive disorderArticleVirtual realityExecutive functions03 medical and health sciences0302 clinical medicineCognitive assessmentSettore M-PSI/08 - Psicologia ClinicaSettore MED/48 -Scienze Infermierist. e Tecn. Neuro-Psichiatriche e Riabilitat.Decision treeMedicineComputational models0501 psychology and cognitive sciencesSettore MED/25 - PsichiatriaProtocol (science)Computational modelbusiness.industry05 social sciencesNeuropsychologySettore M-PSI/03 - PsicometriaCognitive assessment; Computational models; Cross-validation; Decision tree; Executive functions; Multiple errands test; Obsessive-compulsive disorders; Virtual realityCross-validationGeneral MedicineExecutive functionsTest (assessment)computational modelCognitive inhibitionexecutive functionMultiple errands testObsessive–compulsive disorders; virtual reality; multiple errands test; cognitive assessment; executive functions; computational models; decision tree; cross-validationbusiness030217 neurology & neurosurgeryCognitive psychologydescription
Previous studies on obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) showed impairments in executive domains, particularly in cognitive inhibition. In this perspective, the use of virtual reality showed huge potential in the assessment of executive functions; however, unfortunately, to date, no study on the assessment of these patients took advantage of the use of virtual environments. One of the main problems faced within assessment protocols is the use of a limited number of variables and tools when tailoring a personalized program. The main aim of this study was to provide a heuristic decision tree for the future development of tailored assessment protocols. To this purpose, we conducted a study that involved 58 participants (29 OCD patients and 29 controls) to collect both classic neuropsychological data and precise data based on a validated protocol in virtual reality for the assessment of executive functions, namely, the VMET (virtual multiple errands test). In order to provide clear indications for working on executive functions with these patients, we carried out a cross-validation based on three learning algorithms and computationally defined two decision trees. We found that, by using three neuropsychological tests and two VMET scores, it was possible to discriminate OCD patients from controls, opening a novel scenario for future assessment protocols based on virtual reality and computational techniques.
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-11-14 |