Effects of RAS in SZ

Effects of Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation Therapy on Upper-Limb Movements, Function, and Quality of Life in Patients With Schizophrenia: Randomized Controlled Trials

The two main groups of medicated patients with schizophrenia (SZ) are those receiving second-generation antipsychotics and those receiving first-generation antipsychotics. The purpose of this research project is to target each patient group to examine effects of rhythmic auditory stimulation (RAS) on upper-limb movements in medicated SZ patients in a 6-month follow-up period.

The main questions of this project are:

1. Does RAS reduce severity of upper-limb bradykinesia (slow movements) and dyskinesia (repetitive and involuntary movements) after intervention, at 3-month follow-up and 6-month follow-up in SZ patients receiving second-generation antipsychotics? and
2. Does RAS reduce severity of upper-limb bradykinesia and dyskinesia after intervention, at 3-month follow-up and 6-month follow-up in SZ patients receiving first-generation antipsychotics?

Researchers will compare upper-limb movement training with the aid of RAS to upper-limb movement training without the aid of RAS to see if RAS works to improve upper-limb movements in SZ patients. Participants will:

1. Undergo an interview and movement tests and fill out questionnaires before and after the movement training program and at 3-month follow-up and 6-month follow-up; and
2. Receive movement training for 40 minutes per session for a total of 21 sessions.

[For SZ patients]

Inclusion Criteria:

• A diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder
• Between 18 to 60 years old
• Keeping the same antipsychotics and the same dosage at least 4 weeks right before joining the study
• A Edinburgh Handedness Inventory score of > 60
• A Montreal Cognitive Assessment score of ≥ 24

Exclusion Criteria:

• Substance abuse or drug abuse
• Neurological diseases or medical conditions that affect upper-limb movements and hearing
• Other psychiatric diagnoses in addition to a diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder

[For healthy participants]

Inclusion Criteria:

• Between 18 to 60 years old
• A Edinburgh Handedness Inventory score of > 60
• A Montreal Cognitive Assessment score of ≥ 24

Exclusion Criteria:

• Substance abuse or drug abuse
• Neurological diseases or medical conditions that affect upper-limb movements and hearing
• Psychiatric diagnoses
• Taking psychotropic medications
• Presence of first-degree relatives or siblings with diagnoses of psychiatric diseases.