Brain waves and meditation show promise for Schizophrenia's 'Negative' symptoms
NCT ID NCT07437365
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tested whether guided meditation combined with binaural beats (special sound frequencies) could help reduce negative symptoms of schizophrenia, like low motivation and social withdrawal. Ninety inpatients were assigned to meditation alone or meditation with either alpha- or theta-frequency sounds. Results showed that those who received meditation with binaural beats improved more, with the theta-frequency group showing the greatest benefit. While not all differences were statistically significant, this simple, low-cost approach may offer a new way to help manage persistent symptoms.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- guided meditation with binaural beats (alpha or theta frequency)
- What this could lead to
- If confirmed, this low-cost, non-drug approach could offer a new way to ease persistent negative symptoms like low motivation and social withdrawal in schizophrenia.
- What could go wrong
- This was a small, single-site study with 90 participants. Not all improvements were statistically significant, and larger studies are needed to confirm the findings.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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90 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Aug 2025
- Finished
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Oct 2025
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 65 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Hospitalized patients at the psychiatrics hospital of the cross * Aged between 18 and 65 years * Diagnosed with schizophrenia according to the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5) * Clinically stable, receiving a consistent dose of antipsychotic medication for at least 3 months before recruitment Exclusion Criteria: * Acute psychiatric symptoms requiring immediate intervention or hospitalization * Current diagnosis of substance use disorder * Documented history of non-compliance with medical treatment * Hearing impairments that could affect accurate perception of auditory stimuli such as binaural beats
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Psychiatric Hospital of the Cross
Beirut, Lebanon
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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