Abstract
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Highlights
• Binaural beats in the γ band reduce the severity of obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms (in both dimensions of obsession and compulsion).
• Binaural beats in the γ band can be considered a potential amplifier to improve working memory function in obsessive-compulsive disorder patients.
Plain Language Summary
So far, treatment methods for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) have been pharmacotherapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Besides short-term positive effects, pharmacotherapy has possible complications, such as drug dependence, recurrence of symptoms after discontinuation, side effects specific to each drug, potential drug interactions, external control of the patient for treatment, and no recovery to the patient’s abilities and efforts. Psychotherapy is also effective, provided the sessions continue weekly, permanently, and sometimes over several years. The disadvantages of this method are that it is time-consuming, has high costs, causes the psychological resistance of the patient to accept therapeutic strategies, and relies on the therapist’s expertise and experience to achieve desired treatment outcomes. It is better to know that according to research, both treatments are ineffective in about 40%-60% of cases. For this reason, new therapies have turned to modulate brainwaves in this disorder. We know that the memory of OCD patients does not work well, which is why they keep checking to see if they have done something. We hypothesized that if we could induce γ waves in the brain by beats, we could generate the highest level of attention, accuracy, and alertness and thus improve memory. The results were amazing. The severity of OCD symptoms is reduced by this method. Patients’ memory was also strengthened. Although more research is needed in this regard, we can suggest binaural beats as a minimal complementary treatment, along with other therapies for individuals with OCD. Binaural beats are safe, accessible, complication-free, easy to use, and can be applied anywhere and time. Also, binaural beats enhance the effect of other treatments and pave the way for recovery.