Actively Recruiting
The Power of Belief: Expectation-driven and Placebo Modulation of Empathic Pain
Led by University of Electronic Science and Technology of China · Updated on 2026-01-26
120
Participants Needed
2
Research Sites
17 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
This study investigates how belief and expectation influence empathic pain-the pain we feel when observing others in distress. Healthy adult participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: no-treatment control, placebo nasal spray, oxytocin-containing nasal spray. Participants in both the placebo and oxytocin conditions will be informed that they are receiving oxytocin, described as a potent agent for pain relief. During functional MRI scanning, all participants will view naturalistic pain-related videos and provide ratings of perceived subjective pain. The study aims to examine how cognitive beliefs and neuromodulatory interventions alter subjective pain experience and brain activity, including changes in brain network communication.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
The Power of Belief: Expectation-driven and Placebo Modulation of Empathic Pain
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Healthy adults aged 18 to 30 years
- No past or present psychiatric disorders
- No past or present neurological disorders
- Not currently taking psychotherapeutic medication
You will not qualify if you...
- Any past or present psychiatric disorder
- Any past or present neurological disorder
- Current use of psychotherapeutic medication
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Trial Site Locations
Total: 2 locations
1
Weihua Zhao
Chengdu, Sichuan, China, 611731
Actively Recruiting
2
University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
Chengdu, China
Enrolling by Invitation
Research Team
W
Weihua Zhao
CONTACT
K
Keith Kendrick
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
DOUBLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Number of Arms
3
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