The present study aims to employ real-time functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) neurofeedback training in combination with cognitive reappraisal strategies for regulating negative emotions in healthy individuals.
Participants will complete:
* Cognitive reappraisal training with either real neurofeedback or sham feedback. * Questionnaires at pre- and post- training timepoints * A cold-pressor test at the end of the training
It is hypothesized that combining real-time fNIRS neurofeedback and cognitive reappraisal training will enhance emotion regulation in healthy individuals:
1. Increased neural activity in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) region of the brain will be significantly higher in the real neurofeedback group after training compared to the sham feedback group. 2. Real-time fNIRS-guided upregulation of the PFC will enhance emotion regulation during exposure to negative stimuli/scenes across the training runs. 3. The effects of fNIRS neurofeedback training will extend to influence emotion regulation in a cold-pressor test administered post-training, wherein individuals in the real neurofeedback group demonstrate better regulation of stress and pain induced by the task.
Normal/corrected-to-normal vision
Right-handed
Below the cut-off for clinically-significant levels of depression (below 29) indicated by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II; Beck et al., 1996)
Current/history of mental health conditions
Current/history of chronic pain
The following conditions: Cardiovascular disorder, Raynaud's phenomenon, fainting, seizure, wounds on the hand/arm
Frequent use of alcohol/nicotine