Objectives. The aim of this study was to use neurofeedback (NF) training as the add-on therapy in patients with schizophrenia to improve their clinical, cognitive, and psychosocial condition. The study, thanks to the monitoring of various conditions, quantitative electroencephalogram (QEEG) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), was supposed to give an insight into mechanisms underlying NF training results. Methods. Forty-four male patients with schizophrenia, currently in a stable, incomplete remission, were recruited into two, 3-month rehabilitation programs, with standard rehabilitation as a control group (R) or with add-on NF training (NF). Pre- and posttherapy primary outcomes were compared: clinical (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS)), cognitive (Color Trails Test (CTT), d2 test), psychosocial functioning (General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), Beck Cognitive Insight Scale (BCIS), and Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS)), quantitative electroencephalogram (QEEG), auditory event-related potentials (ERPs), and serum level of BDNF. Results. Both groups R and NF improved significantly in clinical ratings (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS)). In-between analyses unveiled some advantages of add-on NF therapy over standard rehabilitation. GSES scores improved significantly, giving the NF group of patients greater ability to cope with stressful or difficult social demands. Also, the serum-level BDNF increased significantly more in the NF group. Post hoc analyses indicated the possibility of creating a separate PANSS subsyndrome, specifically related to cognitive, psychosocial, and BDNF effects of NF therapy. Conclusions. Neurofeedback can be effectively used as the add-on therapy in schizophrenia rehabilitation programs. The method requires further research regarding its clinical specificity and understanding mechanisms of action.

中文翻译：

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改善精神分裂症患者的临床、认知和心理社会功能障碍：一项神经反馈随机对照试验

目标。本研究的目的是使用神经反馈 (NF) 训练作为精神分裂症患者的附加疗法，以改善他们的临床、认知和心理社会状况。由于对各种条件、定量脑电图 (QEEG) 和脑源性神经营养因子 (BDNF) 的监测，该研究旨在深入了解 NF 训练结果的潜在机制。方法. 44 名精神分裂症男性患者，目前处于稳定、不完全缓解，被招募到两个为期 3 个月的康复计划中，标准康复作为对照组 (R) 或附加 NF 训练 (NF)。比较治疗前和治疗后的主要结果：临床（阳性和阴性综合征量表（PANSS））、认知（颜色轨迹测试（CTT）、d2测试）、心理社会功能（一般自我效能量表（GSES）、贝克认知洞察力量表(BCIS) 和疾病接受量表 (AIS))、定量脑电图 (QEEG)、听觉事件相关电位 (ERP) 和血清 BDNF 水平。结果. R 组和 NF 组的临床评分（阳性和阴性综合征量表 (PANSS)）均有显着改善。中间分析揭示了附加 NF 治疗相对于标准康复治疗的一些优势。GSES 得分显着提高，使 NF 组患者有更大的能力应对压力或困难的社会需求。此外，NF 组的血清 BDNF 水平显着增加。事后分析表明创建单独的 PANSS 亚综合征的可能性，特别是与 NF 治疗的认知、心理社会和 BDNF 效应有关。结论。神经反馈可以有效地用作精神分裂症康复计划的附加疗法。该方法需要进一步研究其临床特异性和了解作用机制。