Theta- and Alpha-Tuned Meditation for Negative Symptoms in Schizophrenia

This study done at the psychiatrics hospital of the cross Lebanon examined whether guided meditation combined with special sound stimulation (binaural beats) could help reduce negative symptoms of schizophrenia, such as low motivation and social withdrawal. Ninety inpatients participated in a six-week program and were assigned to meditation alone or meditation combined with either alpha- or theta-frequency sound stimulation. Results showed that patients who received meditation with binaural beats improved more than those who had meditation alone. The greatest improvement was seen in the theta-frequency group. Although not all differences were statistically significant, the findings suggest that this simple, low-cost, non-medication approach may help reduce persistent negative symptoms. Larger studies are needed to confirm these results.