anhedonia
Research Papers
Neurofeedback Treatment of Negative Symptoms in Schizophrenia: Two Case Reports
Negative symptoms of schizophrenia, like diminished emotional expression and a dearth of self-initiated behavior do not respond reliably to anti-psychotic medication or to conventional psychotherapeutic approaches. Starting from evidence on the probable neural basis of such symptoms and on the effectiveness of neurofeedback with other psychological disorders, the present case study applied 20 sessions of EEG neurofeedback to a 45-year-old female and a 30-year-old male, both diagnosed with severe negative symptoms of schizophrenia. In both cases GAF scores were improved significantly and at the end of treatment, both patients did not meet the diagnostic criteria of negative symptomatology any longer. Symptom reduction went along with an obvious improvement of social, interpersonal, and cognitive abilities according to the clinical impression. Detailed data analysis revealed that these improvements went along with corresponding changes of EEG parameters and with distinct patterns and strategies of change in each of the two individuals. The results suggest that EEG neurofeedback should be examined on a larger scale as it offers a promising alternative to existing treatment approaches for negative symptoms in schizophrenia.
View Full Paper →Self regulation of electrocortical activity in schizophrenia and schizotypy: a review
Contrary to the belief that schizophrenic patients will be unable to learn self control of electrocortical activity due to attentional and motivational deficits, the two studies which have investigated this, both involving operant conditioning of slow cortical potentials, have demonstrated that self regulation can take place. This was particularly true of a study of interhemispheric control. Learning difficulties were found to be more to do with sustaining motivation towards the end of sessions or training programs, rather than in initial learning. Schizotypical features in the normal population have in the case of anhedonia been associated with slower learning, while withdrawn introversion has been associated with faster learning. In view of the affirmative evidence and advances in understanding the functional significance of electroencephalographic (EEG) rhythms, the undertaking of therepeutic regimens with electrocortical operant conditioning is warranted in the schizophrenia spectrum.
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