Study of How Brain Stimulation and Expectations Affect Negative Feelings Using Transcranial Temporal Interference Stimulation tTIS

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to explore whether non-invasive brain stimulation called transcranial temporal interference stimulation tTIS can reduce negative emotions and how expectations from care providers influence these effects. The study focuses on two main questions if active tTIS reduces negative affect more than a sham inactive version, and whether positive treatment expectations improve these effects. The study includes participants acting as patients and doctors to investigate these effects through multiple sessions. Participants take part in two experiments. In Experiment 1, 36 participants complete four sessions combining active or sham tTIS with positive or negative placebo messaging in a crossover design, receiving stimulation for 20 minutes or a brief sham stimulation. In Experiment 2, 160 participants 120 patients and 40 doctors engage in two sessions with sham tTIS only, where doctors deliver placebo interventions and monitor patient responses. Stimulation targets the anteriormid-cingulate cortex using specific frequencies and intensities. During the study, participants complete negative affect tasks before and after each stimulation. Physiological measures like ECG, respiration, skin conductance, and others are recorded. MRI scans and behavioral assessments are also performed. Researchers measure cognitive effort, fear, and pain ratings, along with autonomic responses, to evaluate the effects. Sessions are spaced at least 48 hours apart, and the entire testing occurs within one month.

Neural Mechanisms of Interpersonal Expectations on Negative Affect