Schizophrenia & Biofeedback Research Study
Researchers at Boston VA, McLean Hospital, and Northeastern University are partnering with individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia who experience auditory hallucinations to evaluate how real-time biofeedback can help. Join our compensated study today!
Fast Facts
diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder
hear voices at least 3 times per week
18-60 years old
Compensation Provided
Conducted in the greater boston area
Study Background
Voice hearing, or auditory hallucinations, is one of the 5 cardinal symptoms of schizophrenia and can be highly distressing. About 75% of patients diagnosed with schizophrenia experience voice hearing, and about a third of those do not respond to medication. We want to work towards providing more therapeutic options to reduce this experience, especially options that are in your control.
The goal of this research is to investigate whether real-time biofeedback using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) can engage brain circuits that are believed to underlie auditory hallucinations. By auditory hallucinations, we are referring to the experience of hearing voices or other sounds that other people do not. Biofeedback is a technique by which people receive information about their bodily functions as it’s happening in real time, with the goal to increase the ability to control and modulate these functions.
During the study, our team will teach participants a simple mindfulness technique. Then participants will be placed in a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanner and receive biofeedback as they apply the mindfulness technique. The biofeedback involves looking at a thermometer on a screen which shows in real time how the brain is being activated during the mindfulness technique.
Your participation in this study may help researchers improve treatment approaches for auditory hallucinations with schizophrenia. Advance research today and join our compensated study!
Study Background
Voice hearing, or auditory hallucinations, is one of the 5 cardinal symptoms of schizophrenia and can be highly distressing. About 75% of patients diagnosed with schizophrenia experience voice hearing, and about a third of those do not respond to medication. We want to work towards providing more therapeutic options to reduce this experience, especially options that are in your control.
The goal of this research is to investigate whether real-time biofeedback using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) can engage brain circuits that are believed to underlie auditory hallucinations. By auditory hallucinations, we are referring to the experience of hearing voices or other sounds that other people do not. Biofeedback is a technique by which people receive information about their bodily functions as it’s happening in real time, with the goal to increase the ability to control and modulate these functions.
During the study, our team will teach participants a simple mindfulness technique. Then participants will be placed in a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanner and receive biofeedback as they apply the mindfulness technique. The biofeedback involves looking at a thermometer on a screen which shows in real time how the brain is being activated during the mindfulness technique.
Your participation in this study may help researchers improve treatment approaches for auditory hallucinations with schizophrenia. Advance research today and join our compensated study!
Additional Information
You may qualify for this study if you meet the following criteria.
Key Criteria:
- Ages 18-60
- Diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder
- Experience hearing voices, sounds, or noises that others cannot hear (auditory hallucinations)
- Have not undergone Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) or Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) treatment within the last six months
- No history of neurological illness or a traumatic head injury
- No substance use disorder
- Speak English
- If female, not pregnant
The study involves a total of 7-8 sessions and takes place at two different locations: McLean Hospital in Belmont, MA and Northeastern University in Boston.
The first portion of the study involves clinical assessments, neuropsychological evaluation, and voice recordings. These are done at McLean. The clinical assessments take 2-3 hours. The neuropsychological evaluation takes about 2-2.5 hours. Finally, we will record your voice as you read sentences, which we will play back to you in the MRI scanner; this takes about an hour.
So, the total time for the first portion of the study is 5-7 hours. You can complete this first part in one session, or break up the visit into two or more sessions, depending on your comfort, convenience, and availability.
The second part of the study involves MRI scanning. All scans are done at Northeastern University. The first scan is to map your brain, which takes approximately 1 hour. The following four scan sessions involve brief clinical assessments and fMRI neurofeedback. Each session will take 2.5-3 hours; you will be in the scanner for about 1.5 hours at each session.
Finally, at the end of the study, about 1-2 weeks after the last scan session, you will be asked to come in for a final in-person visit at McLean lasting approximately 3 hours. At this final visit, we will do a final round of clinical and neuropsychological assessments to measure any changes from the neurofeedback sessions.
You will be paid up to $680 for your participation, including:
- Up to $120 for the clinical visit(s)
- Clinical assessments (SCID/scales) $60
- Neuropsychological assessments $40
- Voice recordings $20
- $80 for the MRI mapping session.
- $100 for each neurofeedback scan session, and
- Up to $80 for the final clinical visit.
- Scales $40
- Neuropsychological assessments $40