40-Hz Audiovisual Stimulation in Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders

This randomized, sham-controlled trial evaluated the effects of 40-Hz binaural beat music (BBM) combined with 40-Hz rhythmic photic stimulation (RPS) in adults with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. A total of 55 participants with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder were randomly assigned to either the BBM plus RPS group or a sham control group. Participants received 20-minute sessions three times per week for 12 consecutive weeks, for a total of 36 sessions. The primary outcome was anxiety measured using the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Secondary outcomes included psychological distress measured using the Five-item Brief Symptom Rating Scale (BSRS-5) and global cognitive function measured using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Electroencephalographic (EEG) relative power across delta, theta, alpha, beta, and gamma frequency bands was also assessed as an exploratory physiological outcome.