The Combined Effects of EEG Biofeedback and Olanzapine on Glucose and Lipid Metabolism, Cardiac Function, and Cognitive Function in Patients With Schizophrenia.

Abstract

Background: Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a chronic mental disorder characterized by severe impairments in the daily functioning and social interactions of the patient. Compared to conventional pharmacological interventions, electroencephalogram (EEG) biofeedback offers stable and sustained effects and reduces susceptibility to relapse. This study aimed to investigate the impact of EEG biofeedback combined with olanzapine (OLZ) on glucose and lipid metabolism, cardiac function, and cognitive ability in SCZ patients.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the medical records of 66 SCZ patients who received treatment at Taizhou Second Peoples' Hospital between June 2023 and March 2024. The patients were categorized into groups based on their treatment regimens: a single group (n = 30) and a combined therapy group (EEG biofeedback + OLZ, n = 36). Treatment efficacy and adverse reactions were compared between the groups. Key parameters assessed included glucose and lipid metabolism [total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and fasting plasma glucose (FPG)], electrocardiographic (ECG) findings [T-wave changes, ST-segment changes, sinus bradycardia, sinus tachycardia, and other abnormalities], symptom severity [Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS)], and cognitive function [Insight and Treatment Attitudes Questionnaire (ITAQ)] before and after treatment.

Results: The total effective rate in the combined therapy group (91.67%) was significantly higher than in the single group (73.33%) (p < 0.05). Post-treatment, both groups exhibited significantly lower TC and FPG levels and higher TG levels compared to pre-treatment values (p < 0.05). However, no significant differences were observed between groups in these metabolic indices (p > 0.05). Similarly, no significant differences in ECG abnormalities were detected between groups, either pre- or post-treatment (p > 0.05). The combined therapy group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in general psychopathological symptoms, positive symptoms, negative symptoms, and PANSS scores, as well as significantly higher ITAQ scores compared to the single group (p < 0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions did not significantly differ between the single group (6.67%) and the combined therapy group (13.89%) (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: EEG biofeedback combined with OLZ improves psychiatric symptoms and cognitive function of SCZ patients compared to OLZ monotherapy. Notably, the combined therapy does not exacerbate ECG abnormalities, metabolic indices, or adverse reactions, indicating a favorable safety profile.