Examining pain empathy in adolescents with nonsuicidal self-injury
Official title: Abnormal Neural Pain Empathic Processing in Adolescents With Non-suicidal Self-Injury
Run by University of Electronic Science and Technology of China · NCT05968313 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is trying to see how the brains of teens who hurt themselves on purpose respond to feelings of pain in others compared to teens who don’t, to better understand their emotional challenges.
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 | July 2026 |
| Study ends | July 2027 |
| Registry record updated | April 11, 2024 |
| Trial ID | NCT05968313 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates for this study are adolescents aged 15-18 who are right-handed and have engaged in nonsuicidal self-injury behaviors.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with high suicidal risk, significant psychiatric disorders, or those currently undergoing specific therapies 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 aims to investigate the neural processing of pain empathy in adolescents who engage in nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) compared to healthy controls. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), the study will recruit 40 adolescents with NSSI behaviors and 40 healthy adolescents to assess their brain activity in response to pain empathy stimuli. The focus is on understanding how altered empathic processing may relate to the emotional and interpersonal challenges faced by these adolescents. By comparing the neural responses of both groups, the study seeks to shed light on the underlying mechanisms of pain empathy in NSSI.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance understanding of the emotional processing in adolescents with NSSI, potentially leading to improved therapeutic approaches.
How similar studies have gone: While studies on pain empathy exist, this specific examination of NSSI adolescents using fMRI is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
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
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
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Blended ERITA for Teens Who Self-Injure
A blended, youth-focused therapy test combines in-person sessions with digital tools to help teens who have recently self-injured see if this approach improves emotion regulation and daily functioning.
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Internet-delivered Emotion Regulation Therapy for Adolescents with NSSI
This trial tests whether a flexible, internet-based therapy for teens who self-injure can be more effective than standard online treatment for reducing nonsuicidal self-injury symptoms.
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Digital tool for teens to help stop NSSI
A small study will test a teen-focused app that delivers a guided digital program to see if it’s feasible for teens 14–18 who currently hurt themselves but aren’t in therapy.
-
Assessing mental health disorders in Hong Kong using a new recall method
This study is testing a new way to help people in Hong Kong remember important life events to see how many have experienced major depression and thoughts of suicide.
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Exploring social feedback and risk-taking in adolescents with self-injury behaviors
This study looks at how social feedback affects risk-taking in teenagers aged 15-18 who engage in self-injury behaviors.
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Understanding how emotions affect decision-making in adolescents who self-injure
This study looks at how emotions affect decision-making in teenagers who hurt themselves and compares it to their peers who don’t, to better understand why they might make harmful choices.
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.