Real-Time Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Neurofeedback for Regulation of Psychophysiological Functions

University Hospital Basel

Status: Completed

Conditions: Blood Pressure; Stress

Treatments: Other: real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging neurofeedback (RT-fMRI-NF); Behavioral: Ambulatory Training

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT01921088

NF1_137023_A

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is to determine the potential efficacy of real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging neurofeedback (RT- functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) -NF) in regulating brain activity and psychophysiological functions.

Full description

The overall goal of the outlined study is to establish a real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging neurofeedback (RT-fMRI-NF) protocol aiming at modulating brain activity and psychophysiological functions. About two weeks after the initial training session it will be estimated how stable training effects have been. The two weeks in between, subjects will receive ambulatory training of the strategies via a smartphone-based application.

Enrollment: 31 patients

Sex: Male

Ages: 18 to 65 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Sufficient spoken and written knowledge of English
• Right-handedness
• Access to smartphone
• Availability to participate in the study

Exclusion criteria

• Color blindness
• Presence of cardiovascular disease
• Medication intake affecting cardiovascular function
• Medical MRI contraindication

Trial design

Primary purpose: Basic Science

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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31 participants in 2 patient groups

Contingent

Experimental group

Description:

Contingent RT-fMRI-NF of brain activity in the target region of interest

Treatment:

Behavioral: Ambulatory Training

Other: real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging neurofeedback (RT-fMRI-NF)

Non-contingent

Sham Comparator group

Description:

Sham RT-fMRI-NF of brain activity of previously recorded subject

Treatment:

Behavioral: Ambulatory Training

Other: real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging neurofeedback (RT-fMRI-NF)