Training individuals with schizophrenia to gain volitional control of the theory of mind network with real-time fMRI: A pilot study

Individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs) often demonstrate alterations in the Theory of Mind Network (ToM-N). Here, in this proof-of-concept, single-arm pilot study, we investigate whether participants with an SSD are able to learn to volitionally control regions of the ToM-N using real-time fMRI neurofeedback (rtfMRI-NF). Region-of-interest analyses demonstrate that after neurofeedback training, participants were able to gain volitional control of the majority of ToM-N brain regions during the transfer task, where no active feedback was given. These findings suggest that trained volitional control over the ToM-N is tentatively feasible with rtfMRI neurofeedback in SSD, although findings need to be replicated with more robust designs that include a control group and larger samples.