Middle Eastern Journal of Disability Studies
Middle Eastern Journal of Disability Studies
Ethics code: IR.KMU.REC.1404.576
1- Ministry of Science and Research
Abstract: (7 Views)
Objectives: Deficits in executive functions and distress tolerance are key components in the maintenance of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) that respond poorly to conventional treatments. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM) in improving executive functions and distress tolerance in patients with OCD.
Methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted on 30 patients with OCD (age range 18–65 years) who were randomly assigned to either experimental (n=15) or control (n=15) groups using simple randomization. The experimental group received 10 sessions of tPBM with 810 nm wavelength (output power: 100 mW, irradiance: 10–100 mW/cm², energy density: 6–10 J/cm², 20 minutes per session, twice weekly) applied to frontal areas (FP1, FP2, F3, F4, F7, F8, and FZ). The control group received no intervention. Executive functions were assessed using the Barkley Deficits in Executive Functioning Scale (BDEFS), and distress tolerance was measured using the Simons and Gaher Distress Tolerance Scale (DTS) at pre-test and post-test stages. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA).
Results: The two groups were homogeneous regarding demographic variables and pre-test scores (p>0.05). After adjusting for pre-test scores, the experimental group showed a significant reduction in executive function deficits (F=12.66, p=0.002, η²=0.35) and a significant increase in distress tolerance (F=16.29, p=0.001, η²=0.41) compared to the control group. The effect sizes for both variables were moderate to large.
Conclusion: Transcranial photobiomodulation is effective in improving executive functions and increasing distress tolerance in patients with OCD. This non-invasive and safe method can be considered as an adjunctive therapeutic intervention alongside standard treatments for these patients, particularly those who do not respond to conventional therapies. Further studies with long-term follow-up and larger sample sizes are recommended.
Methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted on 30 patients with OCD (age range 18–65 years) who were randomly assigned to either experimental (n=15) or control (n=15) groups using simple randomization. The experimental group received 10 sessions of tPBM with 810 nm wavelength (output power: 100 mW, irradiance: 10–100 mW/cm², energy density: 6–10 J/cm², 20 minutes per session, twice weekly) applied to frontal areas (FP1, FP2, F3, F4, F7, F8, and FZ). The control group received no intervention. Executive functions were assessed using the Barkley Deficits in Executive Functioning Scale (BDEFS), and distress tolerance was measured using the Simons and Gaher Distress Tolerance Scale (DTS) at pre-test and post-test stages. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA).
Results: The two groups were homogeneous regarding demographic variables and pre-test scores (p>0.05). After adjusting for pre-test scores, the experimental group showed a significant reduction in executive function deficits (F=12.66, p=0.002, η²=0.35) and a significant increase in distress tolerance (F=16.29, p=0.001, η²=0.41) compared to the control group. The effect sizes for both variables were moderate to large.
Conclusion: Transcranial photobiomodulation is effective in improving executive functions and increasing distress tolerance in patients with OCD. This non-invasive and safe method can be considered as an adjunctive therapeutic intervention alongside standard treatments for these patients, particularly those who do not respond to conventional therapies. Further studies with long-term follow-up and larger sample sizes are recommended.
Keywords: Transcranial photobiomodulation, Obsessive-compulsive disorder, Executive functions, Distress tolerance
Type of Study: Original Research Article |
Subject:
Psychology
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