Investigating how stress affects reality-monitoring in healthy individuals

Study of Reality-monitoring Process and Influence of Stress Using an Electrophysiological Approach

Not applicable Interventional Hôpital le Vinatier · NCT05595434

This study is testing how stress affects the ability to remember where information comes from in healthy young adults.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment40 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 30 Years
SexAll
SponsorHôpital le Vinatier Academic / other
Locations1 site (Bron)
Trial IDNCT05595434 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to explore the impact of stress on reality-monitoring, a cognitive process essential for remembering the source of information. Forty healthy participants aged 18 to 30 will undergo a standardized stress protocol, with half receiving an active stress condition and the other half a placebo. Participants will complete a reality-monitoring task while undergoing electrophysiological (EEG) recordings, along with socio-demographic and psychometric evaluations to assess the effects of stress on cognitive performance.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are healthy, right-handed men and women aged 18 to 30 who are French speakers and readers.

Not a fit: Patients with a history of psychiatric disorders or those who do not meet the inclusion criteria will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance our understanding of the cognitive processes involved in stress and their implications for mental health, particularly in relation to psychotic disorders.

How similar studies have performed: While the effects of stress on cognitive processes have been studied, this specific investigation into reality-monitoring under stress conditions is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Right-handed Men and Women aged between 18 and 30
* Having given their written informed consent
* For women: oral contraceptive use
* French speakers and readers

Exclusion Criteria:

* Do not consent to be included in the study
* Smokers
* Night workers
* Having visual or hearing impairments that could prevent the successful completion of tasks involving reading or listening to sounds
* Taking drug treatment (except oral contraceptive)
* Having a somatic pathology in particular neurological, endocrinal or blood circulation diseases (e.g., Raynaud's disease)
* Having personal or first-degree relatives' history of diagnosed psychiatric disorders (according to the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - DSM5)
* Having psychotic prodomes measured by a score above 6 in the "prodomal questionnaire' - PQ-16 (Ising et al., 2012)
* Having developed musical abilities (that is, regularly practicing a musical instrument)
* Being pregnant or nursing

Where this trial is running

Bron

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Healthy Participantsreality-monitoringstress
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.