Theta- and Alpha-Tuned Meditation for Negative Symptoms in Schizophrenia (ALPHATH-SCZ)

The Impact of Theta and Alpha Frequency-Tuned Meditation on Negative Symptoms in Schizophrenia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

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.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Schizophenia Disorder
• Intervention / Treatment: Device: Alpha binaural beats; Device: Theta binaural beats

Detailed Description

Schizophrenia is a mental health condition that can cause a wide range of symptoms. While medications often help reduce positive symptoms such as hallucinations or delusions, many patients continue to experience "negative symptoms," like reduced motivation, limited emotional expression, and social withdrawal. These symptoms can have a major impact on daily life and are often harder to treat. Recent research suggests that mind-body interventions, such as meditation and specific sound-based techniques called binaural beats, can influence brain activity linked to attention, memory, and emotional regulation. Alpha and theta brainwave patterns are often disrupted in people with schizophrenia, which may contribute to negative symptoms.

This study, conducted at the psychiatric hospital of the cross in Lebanon, explored whether pairing guided meditation with frequency-specific binaural beats could help reduce negative symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. The study also compared two types of sound frequencies-alpha and theta-to see which might be more effective. Ninety stable inpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia participated in the study. They were randomly assigned to one of three groups: Guided meditation alone, Meditation plus alpha-frequency binaural beats, Meditation plus theta-frequency binaural beats. Participants attended sessions regularly over six weeks. Their symptoms were measured before and after the program using validated Arabic clinical scales. Patients who received meditation combined with binaural beats showed greater improvement in negative symptoms compared to those who received meditation alone. The most notable improvements were seen in the theta-frequency group, which also appeared more engaged during the sessions. However, individual responses varied, and not all differences between groups were statistically significant. Mind-body approaches like meditation and binaural beats may offer new ways to support patients with schizophrenia, helping improve motivation, emotional engagement, and overall quality of life-without relying solely on medication.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 90
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Lebanon
  • Beirut, Lebanon
    • Psychiatric Hospital of the Cross

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

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

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
• Allocation: N/A
• Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

1

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Intervention / Treatment

Active Comparator: Guided Meditation; Participants in this active control group listened to pre-recorded guided meditation sessions with background music. The recordings were standardized and identical for all participants in this group to ensure consistency. No additional auditory stimulation (binaural beats) was added, allowing this group to serve as a control for the effects of meditation alone. All sessions were delivered in a quiet, comfortable environment, and participants were instructed to listen attentively for the full duration of the recording.

Device: Alpha binaural beats; Group A Intervention: Participants in this group listened to pre-recorded guided meditation sessions that included affirmations targeting negative symptoms, combined with calming background music and alpha-frequency binaural beats (10 Hz). To maintain engagement, four unique meditation scripts were prepared, with one script delivered per session day and repeated in sequence over the six-week intervention period. All sessions were delivered using high-fidelity wireless headphones to ensure consistent and clear auditory stimulation. This behavioral intervention aimed to improve motivation, emotional expression, and social engagement in patients with schizophrenia.; Device: Theta binaural beats; Group B Intervention: Participants in this group listened to the same pre-recorded guided meditation sessions and calming background music as Group A, but the audio was combined with theta-frequency binaural beats (6 Hz). Four unique meditation scripts were delivered in sequence, one per session day, and repeated over the six-week intervention period to maintain engagement. Sessions were administered using high-fidelity wireless headphones to ensure clear and consistent delivery. This behavioral intervention aimed to enhance motivation, emotional expression, and social engagement in patients with schizophrenia, with theta-frequency stimulation intended to provide additional modulation of brain rhythms.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Negative symptoms	The primary outcome of this study was the negative symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. These symptoms were evaluated using a validated scale, the Self-evaluation of Negative Symptoms (SNS). Assessments were conducted at baseline and after the six-week intervention to examine changes in specific symptoms, including blunted affect, emotional withdrawal, reduced motivation, and social engagement.	6 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS)	The secondary outcome of this study was clinical symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. These symptoms were assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Evaluations were conducted at baseline and after the six-week intervention to examine changes in positive, negative, and general psychopathology domains.	6 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Psychiatric Hospital of the Cross

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): August 5, 2025
• Primary Completion (Actual): October 16, 2025
• Study Completion (Actual): October 31, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: February 12, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 23, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): February 27, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): February 27, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 23, 2026
• Last Verified: February 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: schizophrenia; Meditation; Negative symptoms; Binaural beats; Alpha waves; Theta waves
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders; Mental Disorders; Schizophrenia
• Other Study ID Numbers: HPC 001-08-2025

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: No, individual participant data will not be shared with other researchers, due to the sensitive nature of psychiatric patient information and the need to ensure participant confidentiality and privacy.

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No