Self-regulation studies
A randomized trial that compared brain activity, efficacy and plausibility of open-label placebo treatment and cognitive reappraisal for reducing emotional distress
This study using functional magnetic resonance imaging compared the effect of a placebo pill (administered without deception) with cognitive reappraisal to reduce emotional discomfort (image-induced disgust). Both interventions increased activity in a cognitive control region of the brain, the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex. Cognitive reappraisal additionally decreased activity in the putamen and pallidum, which play an important role in decoding disgust signals. Self-reports showed that cognitive restructuring was rated as a more effective and plausible intervention strategy by the study participants compared to the 'open placebo'.
To the publication: Link
A differentiated look at emotions: association between gaze behavior during the processing of affective videos and emotional granularity
How differentiated emotional states can be verbalized varies from person to person and is referred to as emotional granularity (EG). This study with eye-tracking was able to show that
To the publication: Link
Changes in food cue reactivity through affective and nonaffective touch: An event-related potential study
Slow stroking-like touches activate specific nerve fibers (CT) in the skin and are generally experienced as pleasant. CT-optimal stimulation could not increase attention to simultaneously presented images of healthy food (fruit, vegetables) or change brain activation (recorded by EEG). However, rapid touching led to a decrease in EEG indicators of motivated attention.
Open-label placebo treatment to reduce overeating in children: A study protocol for a randomized clinical trial using an app-based approach
The planned project aims to reduce food cravings and overeating in overweight/obese children through placebo treatment. A randomized controlled cross-over design will be implemented, comprising four weeks with daily open-label placebo (OLP) treatment and four weeks without OLP. An app-based approach will be used for the study: The children assess the intensity of their cravings, the occurrence of binge eating, their emotional state and placebo use via a smartphone application.
This study was funded by the FWF (KLI 1062).
To the publication: https: //pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37434860/
Would You Take an Open-Label Placebo Pill or Give One to Your Child? Findings from a Cross-Sectional Survey
A brief online survey (n = 806 adult participants) was conducted to identify predictor variables that are associated with the willingness to take an open-label placebo (OLP) or to give an OLP to one’s child. The results indicated polarized attitudes of the participants: a third held exceedingly unfavorable attitudes regarding OLPs, whereas another third was highly receptive to this form of treatment. Attitudes were influenced by expected (somatic, emotional) treatment effects and the perceived plausibility of placebo concepts.
Publication: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.2147/PRBM.S439783
This study was funded by the FWF (KLI 1062)