Emotion Regulation Disorders

Around 10% of post-active veterans experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) many years post-mission. PTSD in veterans is frequently associated with challenges in emotion regulation, aggression, suicidality, and financial and psychosocial stress. In 2018, a 12-week clinical treatment programme, the Veterans Intensive Treatment Unit (VIBU), was developed for veterans experiencing these psychiatric symptoms, for whom conventional treatments had proven ineffective. The VIBU provides patients with trauma-focused and dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT). A recent study revealed that the VIBU was effective in reducing psychiatric symptoms. However, a recurrence of symptoms was observed in patients a few months after discharge. Consequently, an aftercare programme consisting of hybrid DBT is offered to consolidate and repeat the DBT skills and apply them in daily life.

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.