"Association Splitting in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)"

"Association splitting is a cognitive intervention which aims at reducing obsessive thoughts. Association splitting is based on the so called fan effect (Anderson, 1974) and aims at reducing the strength of obsessive cognitions. For this purpose core intrusive thoughts are identified with the patient (such as cancer - illness) and the patient is encouraged to find non-OCD associations that are (semantically or phonologically) related to the OCD cognition (such as cancer - (zodiac) sign, cancer - great crab). To strengthen the novel connections, these associations are elaborated by the use of pictures, music, or smells. By enhancing OC-unrelated associations it is assumed that the influence of OC-related concepts is weakened."

Computerized cognitive remediation (CogPack training). A fixed sequence is administered, which covers a wide range of neuropsychological exercises involving memory, reasoning, selective attention and psychomotor speed. The difficulty level for each patient is adapted automatically depending on to the subject's performance on prior exercises. At the end of each session, the patient receives individual feedback on his or her performance. To match with association splitting, six sessions are administered. Each session lasts approximately 45-60 minutes.