ROLE OF BIOFEEDBACK THERAPY FOR REDUCING AFFECTIVE SYMPTOMS OF SCHIZOPHRENIA: A HOSPITAL-BASED COMPARATIVE STUDY.

Biofeedback in schizophrenia patients

Abstract

Background

 Schizophrenia is a debilitating disorder making it a challenge for clinicians to manage its heterogeneous symptom profile. Antipsychotics remain the main modality of its treatment. However, some symptoms persist after an optimal dose of antipsychotics. The affective and cognitive symptoms need a holistic approach for resolution. Biofeedback is a noninvasive procedure showing its effectiveness in various mental illnesses. Integration of biofeedback adjunctive to medications can help in attaining treatment goals in schizophrenia.

Objectives

It is to determine the role of biofeedback as an adjunctive therapy technique to traditional pharmacotherapy in patients with schizophrenia in improving affective symptoms.

Methodology

Sixty patients diagnosed with schizophrenia were selected for the study after fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Patients were allotted to either the test group or control group by alternate allocation method.  All patients were titrated to an optimal fixed dose of antipsychotic medications during 1^st week of allotment to study.  Biofeedback therapy was given 3 sessions per week for 3 weeks to patients in the test group. Positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS) was applied for all patients at baseline. Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A)  and Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS) were applied at baseline and after 4 weeks to measure anxiety and depressive symptoms respectively. After 4 weeks the results were compared between both groups using statistical analysis.

Conclusion

The outcome of the study found that biofeedback therapy is effective in reducing anxiety and depressive symptoms in patients receiving biofeedback therapy compared to those who did not receive it.

Recommendation

Further studies in a larger cohort are needed to formulate sound and consistent conclusions.