Clinical Research Directory
Browse clinical research sites, groups, and studies.
The Power of Belief: Expectation-driven and Placebo Modulation of Empathic Pain
Sponsor: University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
Summary
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.
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - 30 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
120
Start Date
2025-12-01
Completion Date
2026-03-30
Last Updated
2026-01-26
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Conditions
Interventions
Intranasal Oxytocin (OT) 24 IU
Administer oxytocin (24 IU) intranasally, 6 individual 0.1 ml puffs (4 IU/0. 1ml), three puffs per nostril one every 30 seconds. The participants will be informed that they are receiving oxytocin, described as a potent agent for pain relief.
Intranasal placebo administration
Administer placebo intranasally, 6 individual 0.1 ml puffs, three puffs per nostril one every 30 seconds. The participants will be informed that they are receiving oxytocin, described as a potent agent for pain relief.
Locations (2)
Weihua Zhao
Chengdu, Sichuan, China
University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
Chengdu, China