Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 10, 2025

Exploring the Neural Correlates of Cognitive Reappraisal in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Using Task-based Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Published on: March 14, 2025
Predictors of response to exposure and response prevention-based cognitive behavioral therapy for
Sayo Hamatani1,2, Aki Tsuchiyagaito1,3, Masato Nihei1
1Research Center for Child Mental Development, Chiba University, Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba, 2608670, Japan.
Background:
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which includes exposure and response prevention (ERP), is effective in improving symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). However, whether poor cognitive functions and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) traits affect the therapeutic response of patients with OCD to ERP-based CBT remains unclear. This study aimed to identify factors predictive of the therapeutic response of Japanese patients with OCD to ERP-based CBT.
Methods:
Forty-two Japanese outpatients with OCD were assessed using the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-III (WAIS-III), Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire 9-item scale, and Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) at pre- and post-treatment. We used multiple regression analyses to estimate the effect on therapeutic response change. The treatment response change was set as a dependent variable in multiple regression analyses.
Results:
Multiple regression analyses showed that among independent variables, communication as an AQ sub-scale and Letter Number Sequencing as a WAIS-III sub-test predict the therapeutic response to ERP-based CBT .
Conclusions:
Our results suggest that diminished working memory (Letter Number Sequencing), poor communication skill (AQ sub-scale) may undermine responsiveness to ERP-based CBT among patients with OCD.
Trial Registration:
UMIN, UMIN00024087 . Registered 20 September 2016 - Retrospectively registered (including retrospective data).
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