Examining emotion regulation in adolescents with nonsuicidal self-injury
Official title: Altered Neural Activation Patterns During Emotion Regulation in Adolescents With Nonsuicidal Self-Injury Under Naturalistic Immersive Emotional Engagement
Run by University of Electronic Science and Technology of China · NCT05907421 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how teenagers who hurt themselves without wanting to die manage their emotions compared to those who don’t, using brain scans while they watch videos that trigger feelings.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 15 Years to 18 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 80 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Electronic Science and Technology of China Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Chengdu, Sichuan) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | December 6, 2023 |
| Main results expected | June 2026 |
| Study ends | June 2027 |
| Registry record updated | April 11, 2024 |
| Trial ID | NCT05907421 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are adolescents aged 15-18 who have engaged in nonsuicidal self-injury at least five times in the past year.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with borderline personality disorder, major depressive disorder, or other significant psychiatric conditions may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This observational study investigates how adolescents who engage in nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) manage their emotions in real-life situations using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The focus is on the acceptance strategy, which is a nonjudgmental approach to emotion regulation, and how it may differ between adolescents with NSSI and healthy controls. Participants will be exposed to immersive video clips to assess their emotional responses and neural activity. The study aims to enhance understanding of the emotional processes involved in NSSI behaviors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved therapeutic strategies for adolescents struggling with emotion regulation and NSSI.
How similar studies have gone: While there is ongoing research in emotion regulation and NSSI, this specific approach using fMRI in naturalistic contexts is relatively novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * 15-18 years * right-handed * normal or corrected normal visual acuity * meet the proposed DSM-5 frequency criteria (e.g., ≥5 days of NSSI behaviors in the past year) Exclusion Criteria: * diagnosis of borderline personality disorder, major depressive disorder, other psychiatric disorders, etc. * high suicidal risk * recent use of medications that can affect neural activity * have received or are receiving Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) other treatment for emotional problems within the past 6 months * have a contraindication to MRI scanning (e.g., metal implants, claustrophobia or other conditions that make them inappropriate for MRI scanning)
Where it's running
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Sichuan Provincial Center for Mental Health, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
Chengdu, Sichuan, China Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Benjamin Becker
- Email: ben_becker@gmx.de
- Phone: +86.028-61830867
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.