Expressive rhythm training improves consistency of rhythm production abilities in patients with schizophrenia

Patients with schizophrenia often experience deficits in timing and rhythm-processing abilities, yet the impact of group-based expressive rhythm training on these functions remains unclear. In this study, we examined the effects of short, daily rhythm training sessions on rhythm perception and production in patients with schizophrenia. Participants (N = 15) in an acute care ward received an average of 18.6 training sessions (15 minutes each). Rhythm abilities were assessed before and after the intervention using the Harvard Beat Assessment Test (H-BAT). Group-level analyses showed no significant changes in the mean values of H-BAT measures. However, correlation analysis revealed that the association between the two rhythm production subtests strengthened considerably post-training (from ρ = -0.539 to ρ = -0.896), indicating greater consistency in rhythm production performance. These findings suggest that expressive rhythm training may help stabilize rhythm output in patients with schizophrenia, even when average performance levels do not significantly change. This improvement in internal consistency provides new insights into the potential mechanisms linking schizophrenia pathology to impaired rhythmic processing and may contribute to the development of novel rehabilitation strategies for this population.