Cognitive Remediation Therapy for Schizophrenia: Effects on EEG and Emotional Regulation

Launched by BEYKOZ UNIVERSITY · Apr 13, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a treatment called Cognitive Remediation Therapy (CRT) to see if it can help people with schizophrenia improve their attention, memory, and ability to manage emotions. CRT involves structured exercises designed to boost cognitive skills, which are the mental abilities we use for thinking, learning, and problem-solving. The researchers want to find out if participating in a 12-week CRT program can lead to better brain function and emotional control for those with schizophrenia.

The study will include 60 participants, half of whom will have schizophrenia and half will be healthy individuals of similar age and gender. To be eligible for the trial, individuals with schizophrenia must be between 18 and 55 years old, have a stable condition, and be able to provide informed consent. Healthy participants must not have any history of mental health or neurological issues and should match the schizophrenia group in age and gender. Throughout the trial, participants will undergo various tests, including brain activity monitoring and emotional assessments, before and after the therapy to track any changes. This research aims to enhance our understanding of how cognitive therapy can impact both brain health and overall quality of life for people living with schizophrenia.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria (Schizophrenia Group):
• • Diagnosed with schizophrenia according to DSM-5 criteria
• • Age between 18 and 55 years
• • Clinically stable (no hospitalization or medication change within 1 month)
• • Minimum primary school education
• • Able to provide informed consent
• • Right-handed (for EEG protocol consistency)
• Inclusion Criteria (Healthy Control Group):
• • No history of psychiatric or neurological disorders
• • Age- and gender-matched to schizophrenia group
• • No current medication affecting CNS
• • Able to provide informed consent
• • Right-handed
• Exclusion Criteria (Both Groups):
• • Current or past substance use disorder (within the past year)
• • Comorbid neurological illness (e.g., epilepsy, traumatic brain injury)
• • Current use of benzodiazepines or medications that significantly affect cognitive function
• • Intellectual disability or MoCA score \< 20
• • Visual or hearing impairments that could interfere with task performance
• • Participation in a psychological intervention in the last 3 months