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Touch and Attention MRI Study

This study has been completed.
Sponsor:
Information provided by (Responsible Party):
Kathi J. Kemper, Wake Forest University
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
NCT01432288
First received: September 8, 2011
Last updated: March 9, 2012
Last verified: March 2012
History of Changes
  Purpose

This study will measure resting state network central nervous system activity by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during 4 separate interactions with a clinician. 1.

Hypothesis 1. Because they are different sensory systems, there will be different patterns of Mirror Neuron System (MNS)and Resting State Network (RSN) Central Nervous System (CNS) activity for visual vs. tactile stimulation, regardless of Loving Kindness Meditation (LKM).

Hypothesis 2. Because of unconscious, non-verbal signals, such as the practitioner's facial expression and respiratory rate, subjects' patterns of MNS and RSN CNS activity will differ for LKM+ vs. LKM- stimulation for both visual and tactile interventions.

Hypothesis 3. Because there is greater opportunity to detect signals from two sensory systems than one, the differences between CNS MNS and RSN activity patterns for LKM+ and LKM- will be greater for combined visual + tactile than for either visual or tactile stimulation alone.


Condition
Central Nervous System

Study Type: Observational
Study Design: Observational Model: Cohort
Time Perspective: Cross-Sectional
Official Title: Effects of Touch and Attention on Central Nervous System Resting State Network (RSN) Activity

Further study details as provided by Wake Forest University:

Estimated Enrollment: 10
Study Start Date: August 2011
Study Completion Date: December 2011
Primary Completion Date: December 2011 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure)
Detailed Description:

This project builds on our previous research to build a platform for a successful NIH proposal to address a key gap in our understanding of the mechanism of non-verbal clinician-patient communication on physiology and behavior. Social neuroscience is a rapidly growing area of research that offers unique opportunities to better understand the mechanisms underlying common observations about clinician-patient interactions.The purpose of this study is to better understand the CNS mechanisms underlying the observed changes in self-reported well-being and ANS activity by evaluating resting fMRI activity under controlled conditions. The specific aims are to compare resting fMRI activity in the mirror neuron system (MNS) and resting state networks (RSN), reflected specifically in the Insula, Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC), Precuneus, Posterior Cingulate Cortex (PCC), Amygdala, Bilateral Inferior Parietal Cortex, Primary Motor-Visual System, and Dorsal Medulla while viewing touch with lovingkindness meditation lovingkindness meditation vs no lovingkindness meditation, receiving touch with lovingkindness meditation vs no lovingkindness meditation and both viewing and receiving touch with lovingkindness meditation vs no lovingkindness meditation. This is a descriptive study to generate sample size estimates for an NIH RO1 proposal.

  Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:   18 Years to 40 Years
Genders Eligible for Study:   Both
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:   Yes
Sampling Method:   Non-Probability Sample
Study Population

Participants will be healthy individuals, 18< 40 years old, and can understand and respond to verbal directions while in an fMRI. Individuals over the age of 40 are excluded to provide a more homogeneous sample, to make this sample comparable to other research conducted at this institution and to decrease abnormalities in the outcome measures due to age-related changes.

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

  • 18-40 years old
  • healthy
  • can understand and respond to verbal directions while in an MRI

Exclusion Criteria:

  • blind
  • undergone treatment for brain tumor, stroke, intracranial hemorrhage
  • diabetes or any other form of peripheral neuropathy
  • require a pacemaker, insulin pump or other electronic equipment
  • taking beta blocking medications, systemic steroid medications or other medications likely to affect autonomic or central nervous system function
  Contacts and Locations
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01432288

Locations
United States, North Carolina
Center for Biomolecular Imaging and Center for Integrative Medicine, Wake Forest University
Winston Salem, North Carolina, United States, 27157
Sponsors and Collaborators
Wake Forest University
Investigators
Principal Investigator: Kathi Kemper, MD, MPH Wake Forest University
  More Information

No publications provided

Responsible Party: Kathi J. Kemper, Professor, Wake Forest University
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01432288     History of Changes
Other Study ID Numbers: WFUIRB00016834
Study First Received: September 8, 2011
Last Updated: March 9, 2012
Health Authority: United States: Institutional Review Board

ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on May 23, 2013