A multicentre study to test the effectiveness of the STAM (Sound Training Attention and Memory) protocol in the rehabilitation of patients with schizophrenia: a single blind, randomized control trial

Objective Schizophrenia is one of the most serious mental disorders with unfavourable effects on social function, a high risk of chronicity and high costs to the health system. Music therapy in which a qualified music therapist makes music together with clients has only recently been introduced as a form of additional treatment. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of music therapy method STAM (Sound Training Attention and Memory). Method Sixty-seven patients with schizophrenia were randomly assigned to an experimental group and to a control group. Both groups received medication and therapy indicated for schizophrenia. Additionally, thirty-seven patients of experimental group underwent group music therapy with the STAM method. The method is directed to improve cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia, particularly attention, working memory and executive functions. The music therapy took place for 16 weeks, The patients were tested with neuropsychological tests. Results Significant effects of STAM music therapy are found in tests of attention and working memory. The improvement is statistically significant, compared to control group. Conclusion Our study confirms the efficacy of music therapy in the schizophrenic disorders. Moreover the trial shows that STAM method improves cognitive deficits of schizophrenic patient.