Enhancing Emotion Regulation Through Functional Near-infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS)-Informed Real-time Neurofeedback

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF ELECTRONIC SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY OF CHINA · Mar 4, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at a new way to help people manage their emotions, especially negative feelings like stress. The study will use a technique called neurofeedback, which gives real-time information about brain activity, combined with a method called cognitive reappraisal that teaches participants how to think differently about stressful situations. Healthy adults aged between 65 and 74 who experience moderate to high levels of stress, but do not have significant depression or certain health conditions, may be eligible to participate.

Participants will take part in training sessions where they will learn emotion regulation skills with either real or fake brain activity feedback. They will also fill out questionnaires before and after the training and undergo a test that involves placing their hand in cold water to see how well they can handle stress and pain. Researchers believe that those receiving real neurofeedback will show improved brain activity and better emotional control compared to those receiving the sham feedback. This study is currently recruiting participants, and it offers a chance to contribute to understanding new methods for managing stress and emotions.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Normal/corrected-to-normal vision
• • Right-handed
• • Below the cut-off for clinically-significant levels of depression (below 29) indicated by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II; Beck et al., 1996)
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Current/history of mental health conditions
• • Current/history of chronic pain
• • The following conditions: Cardiovascular disorder, Raynaud's phenomenon, fainting, seizure, wounds on the hand/arm
• • Frequent use of alcohol/nicotine