Abstract:

Growing studies have reported the alternations of the cortico-basal ganglia-corticothalamic loops and insular networks, which belong to the sensorimotor system, might be responsible for the clinical symptoms and cognitive deficits in schizophrenes. However, the mainstream researches and clinical treatments have focused on the abnormity of high-leveled brain regions and paid little attention to the primary sensorimotor system in schizophrenes. Relevant studies have revealed the dance training could promote the cortico-basal ganglia-corticothalamic loops and insular networks both in function and structure, which would facilitate the higher brain functions. It indicates that the dance training might be an efficient treatment for the schizophrenia and the related cognitive deficits. Based on multimodal magnetic resonance imaging technology, this study focuses on the sensorimotor network of schizophrenia. It aims to reveal the neuro mechanism of the dance training effects on schizophrenia, in a way of integrative analyzation involving the image/clinical/cognitive data pre-and post- intervention.
Study 1. Acquiring multimodal data of the schizophrenia participates. This research will recruit 3 groups (the training group, the control group and the healthy control group). We will collect the brain image data, psychology-behavior data and clinical data at the baseline in 3 groups. Then, this study will collect related data of the control group and the training group after dance training. Besides the demology data, this research uses resting fMRI, structural MRI and DTI to gain brain image data before and after dance training; uses Positive and Negative Syndrome(PANSS) and MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) to acquire the clinical and cognitive data before and after dance training.
Study 2. Designing the dance training scheme. Based on previous researches, we design the dance scheme as 1 hour for each time, twice a week, lasting for 12 weeks. The scheme contains 3 stages, including the early stage (lasting for 3 weeks), the consolidation stage (lasting for 6 weeks) and the integrative stage（lasting for 3 weeks）. In the early stage, the participants are asked to train the sense of kinesics, position, coordination, rhythm and so on. In the consolidation stage, the participants are required to learn 6-8 dance sessions, which emphasizes the movement simulation and mirroring. In the integrative stage, all the participants are conducted to feed back their dance movements both in accuracy and coordination. Besides they are asked to perform the whole dance segment independently finally.
Study 3. The integrative analysis. We use 1×3 ANOVA to compare the baseline data in order to identify the disfunction network in schizophrenia. Then, through practicing 2×2 ANOVA in two schizophrenia groups before and after training, we try to identify the dance training effects on brain network plasticity in schizophrenia. Finally, based on results of 1×3 ANOVA and 2×2 ANOVA, we try to determine the training effects on disordered brain areas and the coordination mechanism of ordered areas.

Key words: resting state brain network, schizophrenia, dance training, sensorimotor network