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

Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18-55
SponsorBeykoz University

About this trial

This study aims to determine whether Cognitive Remediation Therapy (CRT) can improve attention, memory, and emotional regulation in people with schizophrenia. CRT is a structured program that includes exercises to strengthen cognitive skills such as problem-solving, working memory, and emotion regulation.

The study will recruit 60 participants: 30 individuals with schizophrenia and 30 healthy individuals of similar age and gender. Those with schizophrenia will be randomly assigned to either receive CRT or be placed on a waitlist without therapy. All participants will undergo non-invasive brain activity (EEG) and emotional response (GSR) recordings before and after the therapy.

The study's main question is: Does participating in a 12-week CRT program improve brain-based markers of attention and emotional regulation in people with schizophrenia?

Additional tests, such as memory and emotion recognition tasks and self-report questionnaires, will help assess changes in thinking skills and emotional well-being. The study may help better understand how CRT affects both brain function and quality of life in schizophrenia.

Eligibility criteria

Qualifiers

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

Disqualifiers

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

Trial design

Treatments tested in this trial

  • Cognitive Remediation Therapy

Treatment groups

60 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groups

Sponsors and collaborators

Beykoz University

Lead sponsor

Uskudar University

Collaborator

Istanbul Nisantasi University

Collaborator