Neurofeedback Enhanced Cognitive Reappraisal Training for Anxiety

This study is looking at how a technique called neurofeedback, which helps you learn to control your brain activity, affects emotion regulation in young adults with anxiety. Researchers are testing two approaches: fMRI with Veritable-NF and fMRI with Sham-NF. They want to see if receiving feedback about your own brain activity can improve your ability to manage emotions. The study is open to young adults aged 18 to 24 who have a primary diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, or illness anxiety disorder. Success in this study would mean seeing changes in brain activity (specifically in the prefrontal cortex, or PFC) and in how negative images are rated. The current recruitment status is unclear.

Study design
This interventional study plans to enroll 110 participants. It compares two different neurofeedback approaches.
What's involved
You would complete 4 visits, some of which can be done virtually. These visits include a clinical interview, questionnaires, and a practice session, and possibly a mock scan.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
The primary outcomes are measured at approximately 60 minutes, which suggests a short follow-up period during the study visits.

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NCT06563310

Neurofeedback Enhanced Cognitive Reappraisal Training - Phase 4

Recruiting
NAAges 18–24InterventionalBasic science
University of Michigan
~110 participants
Updated 2026-06-05 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) with Veritable-NFfMRI with Sham-NF

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Change in prefrontal cortex (PFC) activity (baseline to transfer run) from the reappraise > look contrast
Measured over Approximately 60 minutes
+1 more outcome measured
Anxiety
Social Anxiety Disorder
Panic Disorder
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
1 sites across 1 states
Michigan1
  • Stefanie Russman Block, Ph.D · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of Michigan

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Primary diagnosis (primary source of distress and/or interference) of generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder or illness anxiety disorder based on structured interview. Comorbid phobic disorders allowed, but these cannot be the primary source of interference or distress due to the lowered chances of encountering anxiety-provoking stimuli during the study period
Score of 2 or more on at least 1 question from GAD/CROSS-AD composite
Medically and physically able to consent
Not regularly taking any medication, prescription or non-prescription, with psychotropic effects other than:
For females, not currently pregnant or actively trying to become pregnant
Ability to tolerate small, enclosed spaces without anxiety
No metals, implants or metallic substances within or on the body that might cause adverse effects to the subject in a strong magnetic field, or interfere with image acquisition (per protocol)
Size compatible with scanner gantry (per protocol)

Exclusion

Current diagnosis of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, or Bipolar Disorder
Current substance abuse or dependence (past 6 months)
Active suicidality with plan or intent
Current psychosis
History of serious neurological illness or current medical condition that could compromise brain function, such as liver failure
History of closed head injury, e.g., loss of consciousness greater (\>) approximately (\~) 5 minutes, hospitalization, neurological sequela
  • Change in prefrontal cortex (PFC) activity (baseline to transfer run) from the reappraise > look contrastApproximately 60 minutes
  • Change in negative affect ratings of images from the International Affective Picture System (IAPS)Approximately 60 minutes

    The Self-Assessment Manikin (SAM) is a pictorial assessment technique in which a changing manikin figure depicts values along the primary dimension of affective valence (positive/negative). Users may indicate emotional reactions along a scale from 1-9, with higher numbers indicating greater negative affect. After the scan, participants will rate each image they saw from the IAPS along this scale. Differences in SAM ratings from look to reappraise trials will be evaluated and compared between sham-NF and veritable-NF groups.