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Can Mimic Emotional Expression Training Help Improve Emotion Processing

Not Applicable
Conditions
Healthy
Interventions
Behavioral: Mimic facial expressions
Registration Number
NCT04922684
Lead Sponsor
University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
Brief Summary

The main aim of the present study is to investigate whether mimicking emotional expressions training via FaceReader software can improve emotional processing and recognition in healthy subjects, especially individuals with hityer autistic traits.

Detailed Description

Some mood and trait questionnaires such as Autism Spectrum Quotient, Social Responsiveness Scale,State-Trait Anxiety Inventory,Beck's Depression Inventory etc are asked to complete. 90 healthy male subjects will receive 16 times (4 times a week , 4 weeks) of mimicking emotional expressions training via Facereader. During training, 3 times of fNIRS (t2,t9 and t16) were recorded simultaneously. fMRI scanning, including emotion processing and emotion recognition tasks, 7 minutes resting data, ans DTI data will be collected before and after the training. After fMRI scaning, behavioral ratings (i.e. intensity and valence) and eye-tracking data will be collected.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
UNKNOWN
Sex
Male
Target Recruitment
90
Inclusion Criteria
  • Healthy subjects without past or current psychiatric or neurological disorders
Exclusion Criteria
  • history of head injury;
  • pregnant, menstruating, taking oral contraceptives;
  • medical or psychiatric illness.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Higher austic sub-groupMimic facial expressions16 times of mimicking emotional expressions
Lower austic sub-groupMimic facial expressions16 times of mimicking emotional expressions
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Intensity score of subjects' mimic facial emotionsan average of 4 weeks

The measurement was monitored and analyzed by FaceReader software before and after the 4-week training session and subjects' facial expressions of mimicking certain emotions will be calculated into intensity, ranging from 0 to 1.

Valence score of subjects' mimic facial emotionsan average of 4 weeks

The measurement was monitored and analyzed by FaceReader software before and after the 4-week training session and subjects' facial expressions of mimicking certain emotions will be calculated into valence, ranging from -1 to 1.

Arousal score of subjects' mimic facial emotionsan average of 4 weeks

The measurement was monitored and analyzed by FaceReader software before and after the 4-week training session and subjects' facial expressions of mimicking certain emotions will be calculated into arousal, ranging from 0 to 1.

Task-dependent functional MRI dataan average of 4 weeks

Neural activities of brain regions, notably mirror neuron system will be collected for analysis when the subjects participate in a face processing and emotion recognition task in a MRI scanner before and after the 4-week training session.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Electronic Science and Technology of China

🇨🇳

Chengdu, Sichuan, China

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