A Randomized Controlled EEG-GSR Study on the Effects of Cognitive Remediation Therapy on Neurophysiological and Emotional Regulation Markers in Schizophrenia
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.
• 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)
• 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