Based on previous results the cognitive profile of patients with obsessive-compulsive
disorder (OCD) is determined by the impairment of executive and visual-spatial memory
functions. The Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure (ROCF) is a widely used tool for examining
visual-spatial memory disorders. Several scoring systems can be used to evaluate the
ROCF and the most widespread is the original Osterrieth evaluation system. The Boston
Qualitative Scoring System (BQSS) is a new, much more detailed scoring system than
the Osterrieth, which allows both quantitative and a more detailed qualitative analysis
of ROCF. In our study, we analyzed the copying and immediate recall performance of
24 OCD and 24 age- and education-matched healthy control subjects using the Osterrieth
and BQSS scoring systems. Our research had two main goals, (1) to examine the diff
erences in visualspatial memory performance shown by the OCD group compared to the
control group, and (2) to compare the Osterrieth and BQSS scoring systems in one clinical
sample. Based on both the Osterrieth and BQSS scoring systems, our results show that
the OCD group performed significantly worse in the recall phase, but not in the copy
phase. According to our results both scoring systems can be effectively used to examine
the functioning of visual-spatial memory in OCD patients. While the Osterrieth evaluation
system is faster and more widespread, the BQSS scoring system examines detailed qualitative
aspects in addition to quantitative indicators.
