Background: Multisensory integration (MSI) avoids cognitive overload, and the traditional all-or-nothing perspective for dysfunctional MSI in schizophrenia has been increasingly challenged. This study aimed to systematically review and meta-analyze extant evidence on audiovisual MSI in schizophrenia. Methods: We searched Web of Science, PubMed, PsycINFO and PsycARTICLES databases from inception until April 16^th, 2024. Studies using appropriate audiovisual integration tasks to compare either behavioral or neural responses between schizophrenia individuals and healthy controls were included. Primary outcome measures included between-group differences (Hedge’s g) and symptomatic correlations (Fisher’s z) in three components of audiovisual integration tasks, including audiovisual processing, adaptation and integration. The multilevel random-effects models were used to address statistical dependency. Results: In total, 209 between-group and 116 correlational effect sizes were synthesized from 46 studies, representing 1,108 non-overlapped schizophrenia participants and 1,084 healthy controls. The overall dysfunctional audiovisual MSI in schizophrenia (g = -0.50, [95% CI, -0.64 to -0.37]) was primarily ascribed to the impaired audiovisual processing (g = -0.53, [95% CI, -0.71 to -0.35]) and adaptation (g = -0.71, [95% CI, -0.99 to -0.42]), rather than integration itself (g = -0.23, [95% CI, -0.56 to 0.11]). Pooled correlational effect size was extremely small (z = 0.16, [95% CI, 0.03 to 0.30]). Conclusions: Individuals with schizophrenia show dysfunctional multisensory processing and adaptation, but preserve a less impaired multisensory integration ability. Our findings provide implications for clinical interventions, as the relatively preserved audiovisual integration ability may serve as a possible avenue for cognitive training programs.

Enhancing the acoustical quality in learning environments is mandatory, especially for Hearing Aids (HAs) users. When in-field evaluations cannot be performed, Virtual Reality (VR) can be adopted for the acoustical quality assessment of existing and new buildings, contributing to the acquisition of subjective impressions in lab settings. To ensure an accurate spatial reproduction of the sound field in VR also for HAs users, multispeaker-based systems can be employed to auralize a given environment. However, most systems are effortful due to costs, size and construction. This work deals with the validation of a VR-system based on a 16-speaker-array synced with a VR-headset, arranged to be easily replicated in small non-anechoic spaces and suitable for HAs users. Both objective and subjective validations are performed against a real university lecture room of 800 m3 and with 2.3 s of Reverberation Time at mid-frequencies. Comparisons of binaural and monoaural room acoustic parameters are performed between measurements in the real lecture room and its lab reproduction. To validate the AudioVisual experience, 32 normal-hearing subjects were administered the Igroup Presence Questionnaire (IPQ) on the overall sense of perceived presence. The outcomes confirm that the system is a promising and feasible tool to predict the perceived room acoustical quality.