Regolazione/disregolazione emotiva in pazienti schizofrenici: trattamento neurofeedback e correlati elettrofisiologici (EEG) ed emodinamici (fNIRS)

[Autom. eng. transl.] Previous studies indicate that schizophrenia is characterized by impaired brain function. Specifically, electroencephalographic anomalies (EEGs) were detected, in the form of a prevalence of low-frequency waves, while neuroimaging studies have identified an atypical cerebral responsiveness. Despite the presence of experimental evidence, the integration of these two methods is not usually used to evaluate the emotional dysregulation present in schizophrenic patients. The aim of the present pilot study is to analyze the brain functioning of schizophrenia patients by co-recording EEG and near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), and to use the Neurofeedback (NF) technique to restore the electrical activity of the two hemispheres to a balanced and optimal condition. The sample consists of 8 schizophrenic patients divided into two groups: neurofeedback group (5 patients, N) and control group (3 patients, C). The study included 3 phases: a) Initial phase (T0) of neurophysiological assessment and appraisal abilities of emotional stimuli (Self-Assessment Manikin, SAM), to select a specific NF treatment; b) application of a five-week NF protocol (T1); c) post-treatment neurophysiological evaluation to test NF efficacy in terms of hemispheric distribution and cortical responsiveness (T2). As hypothesized, a pattern of cortical asymmetry with low-frequency wave prevalence emerged in T0, specifically in the delta band. However, the cognitive skills of explicit assessment of the emotional value of the stimuli appeared to be preserved. Furthermore, a significant effect of the T2 treatment for the N group was found with respect to the C group, in the form of a modulation of EEG and fNIRS measurements. Our results suggest the need to promote further studies aimed at investigating the use of NF for emotional regulation in psychiatric patients.