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Dyadic Neurofeedback for Development of Healthy Emotion Regulation in Youth

Not Applicable
Recruiting
Conditions
Emotional Regulation
Interventions
Behavioral: Neurofeedback
Registration Number
NCT05472545
Lead Sponsor
Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences
Brief Summary

This study will examine the effect of a real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) dyadic neurofeedback protocol with mothers and their adolescent daughters. Mothers in the experimental condition will view a moving bar showing their daughters' brain activity on a computer screen while talking to their daughters.

Detailed Description

Adolescents with a family history of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are at heightened risk for depression and other mental health problems related to poor emotion regulation (ER). The proposed study will test the efficacy of a real-time fMRI dyadic neurofeedback (DNF) protocol to promote healthy ER-related neurodevelopment in female adolescents with a maternal history of ACEs. The proposed study will use DNF to provide neurofeedback from the adolescent's anterior insular cortex (aIC) to the adolescent's mother as the mother and adolescent engage in an emotion discussion task together. Parents and adolescents (n=35 active DNF; n=35 control) will communicate via microphones and noise-canceling headphones while the adolescent is undergoing fMRI scanning. Specific aims of the current study are to determine: 1) the effects of aIC DNF on the developing ER network in adolescents with a history of maternal ACEs, 2) associations between parenting practices during DNF and reduced adolescent aIC activation, and 3) longitudinal effects of aIC DNF on adolescent internalizing symptoms.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
210
Inclusion Criteria

All participants inclusion criteria:

  • Biological female
  • Sufficient English fluency to complete tasks
  • Co-residing at least 4 days per week

Inclusion criteria for adult participants:

  • Primary caregiver for more than 50% of child's lifespan
  • History of at least two adverse childhood experiences
  • Biological parent of adolescent participant

Inclusion criteria for adolescents:

  • Eligible for fMRI
  • Body mass index between 16 and 40 (inclusive)
  • Age 14-17 years
Exclusion Criteria

Exclusion criteria for adolescent participants:

  • Current or past psychiatric disorder
  • Neurodevelopmental delay
  • Medications influencing fMRI
  • Medical conditions influencing fMRI

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Neurofeedback GroupNeurofeedbackMothers of adolescent participants will view real-time fMRI neurofeedback representing activity in their daughter's anterior insula during an emotion discussion task. Activity will be presented as a colored bar of moving height, and mothers will be instructed to attempt to downregulate the activity through what they say to their daughter.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Resting-state network activityOne year (change from first scan session to one-year follow-up)

Brain activity during fMRI resting-state scan

Blood Oxygen Level-Dependent (BOLD) signal changes (brain activation)One hour (measured during one scan session)

Activation in the right anterior insular cortex and associated regions. We hypothesize that lower activity will indicate a better outcome.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Emotion regulation (change over time)One year (change from first scan session to one-year follow-up)

Change over time in adolescent's responses to the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (Gratz \& Roemer, 2008). The DERS consists of 36 items rated on a 1-5 Likert scale (scale range: 36-180). Higher scores indicate greater difficulties with emotion regulation.

Affect variability (change over time)Two weeks

Adolescents will complete ecological momentary assessment (EMA) measures multiple times per day over a period of two weeks and rate their current emotions at the time of the prompt. Affect variability will be quantified as the standard deviation in mean negative emotion ratings.

Depressive symptoms (change over time)One year (change from first scan session to one-year follow-up)

Change over time in adolescent's responses to the PROMIS (Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System) Pediatric Short Form Version 2 (Quinn et al., 2014). This is an 8-item scale with scores ranging from 8-40, with higher scores indicating more depressive symptoms.

Parenting behaviors (change over time)One year (change from first scan session to one-year follow-up)

Change over time in adolescent's responses to the Children's Report of Parent Behavior Inventory (Schludermann \& Schludermann, 1988). The CRPBI has 3 subscales, each with a score range of 10-30. Interpretation/valence of the scores varies by subscale.

Parent-adolescent interaction quality (change over time)Two weeks

Adolescents will complete ecological momentary assessment (EMA) measures multiple times per day over a period of two weeks and report on emotions experienced during interactions with their mother. The ratio of positive to negative interactions across the EMA period will be calculated.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Hardesty Center for Clinical Research and Neuroscience

🇺🇸

Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States

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