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Does Biofeedback Improve Symptoms of Schizophrenia (Emotion, Psychotic Symptoms and Cognitive Function)?

Chia-Ju Lin, Yi-Yung Hung, Chin-Chuen Lin, Meng-Chang Tsai, Tiao-Lai Huang

Objectives: Patients with schizophrenia tend to experience emotional distress
and to have impaired cognitive function. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of the biofeedback therapy on patients with schizophrenia. Methods: From December 1, 2012 to November 30, 2013, we recruited in- and outpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia. They were randomized into the biofeedback
group (treated with individual progressive muscle relaxation therapy [PMRT],
three times a week, for two weeks) and the control group. All patients were evaluated using Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI),
Symptom Checklist-90-R, and Trial Making Test (TMT). Results: We recruited 25
patients, including 16 in the biofeedback group and 9 in the control group. The
results showed significantly lower BAI scores (p = 0.05), lower depression (p =
0.05), lower anxiety (p = 0.05), lower paranoid ideation (p < 0.05), lower additional items (sleep disturbances and appetite) (p < 0.05) and lower TMT A (p =
0.01) scores in the biofeedback group compared to the control group. TMT A (p =
0.01) and TMT B (p = 0.01) were found to be significantly lower in the control
group. No statistical significance was found in the cognitive function improvement
between the two groups. Conclusion: Biofeedback could improve the clinical
symptoms of depression, anxiety, paranoid ideation, sleep disturbances and appetite in patients with schizophrenia.
Key Word biofeedback, cognitive function, emotion, schizophrenia
Editorial Committe, Taiwanese Journal of Psychiatry
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