Evaluation of the auditory processing skills of individuals diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate central auditory processing (CAP) abilities in individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and to examine the effectiveness of an auditory-cognitive rehabilitation program tailored for this population. Method: The study included 42 individuals with OCD (mean age = 31.97 ± 9.09 years) and 46 demographically matched healthy controls (mean age = 31.63 ± 7.25 years). CAP skills were assessed using behavioral tests (Turkish Matrix Test, Gap in Noise Test [GIN], Random Gap Detection Test [RGDT], Frequency Pattern Test [FPT], Duration Pattern Test [DPT]), electrophysiological recordings (P300), and a self-report questionnaire (UCAPI). Symptom severity was measured with the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS), while depression and anxiety were evaluated with the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). The auditory-cognitive rehabilitation program was implemented in both groups. Statistical analyses included between-group comparisons (Independent t-test), pre–post comparisons within each group (Wilcoxon signed-rank test), and predictors of rehabilitation outcomes (multiple linear regression). Results: Pre-intervention comparisons revealed significant CAP impairments in the OCD group across all measures (p<0.05). Following rehabilitation, individuals with OCD showed significant improvements in most measures (p<0,05), except FPT- REV(+), P300 latency, and UCAPI subscales related to following spoken instructions, attention, and educational assistance (p>0.05). No significant rehabilitation-related changes were observed in healthy controls. Post-intervention group comparisons indicated no significant differences across most variables, apart from FPT- REV(+) and UCAPI spoken instruction scores (p>0.05). Regression analyses revealed that age and OCD duration were significant predictors of P300 amplitude changes, while Y-BOCS scores predicted changes in UCAPI total scores (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study shows that individuals with OCD exhibit marked deficits in auditory processing. Auditory-cognitive rehabilitation leads to substantial improvements, reducing differences from healthy controls. These findings demonstrate the potential benefit of incorporating auditory-cognitive rehabilitation into OCD treatment protocols to support perceptual and cognitive auditory processes.