Can Mimic Emotional Expression Training Help Improve Emotion Processing

Study Overview
=================
Brief Summary
-----------------
The main aim of the present study is to investigate whether mimicking emotional expressions training via FaceReader software can improve emotional processing and recognition in healthy subjects, especially individuals with hityer autistic traits.

Detailed Description
-----------------
Some mood and trait questionnaires such as Autism Spectrum Quotient, Social Responsiveness Scale,State-Trait Anxiety Inventory,Beck's Depression Inventory etc are asked to complete. 90 healthy male subjects will receive 16 times (4 times a week , 4 weeks) of mimicking emotional expressions training via Facereader. During training, 3 times of fNIRS (t2,t9 and t16) were recorded simultaneously. fMRI scanning, including emotion processing and emotion recognition tasks, 7 minutes resting data, ans DTI data will be collected before and after the training. After fMRI scaning, behavioral ratings (i.e. intensity and valence) and eye-tracking data will be collected.

Official Title
-----------------
Can Mimic Emotional Expression Training Help Improve Emotion Processing

Conditions
-----------------
Healthy

Intervention / Treatment
-----------------
* Behavioral: Mimic facial expressions


Participation Criteria
=================
Eligibility Criteria
-----------------
Inclusion Criteria: Healthy subjects without past or current psychiatric or neurological disorders Exclusion Criteria: history of head injury; pregnant, menstruating, taking oral contraceptives; medical or psychiatric illness.

Ages Eligible for Study
-----------------
Minimum Age: 17 Years
Maximum Age: 30 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
-----------------
Male

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
-----------------
Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
=================
How is the study designed?
-----------------

Design Details

Primary Purpose: Basic Science
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: Lower austic sub-group<br>16 times of mimicking emotional expressions | Behavioral: Mimic facial expressions<br>* 16 times (4 times a week, last 4 weeks) of mimicking facial expressions.<br>|
| Experimental: Higher austic sub-group<br>16 times of mimicking emotional expressions | Behavioral: Mimic facial expressions<br>* 16 times (4 times a week, last 4 weeks) of mimicking facial expressions.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
-----------------
Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Intensity score of subjects' mimic facial emotions | The measurement was monitored and analyzed by FaceReader software before and after the 4-week training session and subjects' facial expressions of mimicking certain emotions will be calculated into intensity, ranging from 0 to 1. | an average of 4 weeks | 
| Valence score of subjects' mimic facial emotions | The measurement was monitored and analyzed by FaceReader software before and after the 4-week training session and subjects' facial expressions of mimicking certain emotions will be calculated into valence, ranging from -1 to 1. | an average of 4 weeks | 
| Arousal score of subjects' mimic facial emotions | The measurement was monitored and analyzed by FaceReader software before and after the 4-week training session and subjects' facial expressions of mimicking certain emotions will be calculated into arousal, ranging from 0 to 1. | an average of 4 weeks | 
| Task-dependent functional MRI data | Neural activities of brain regions, notably mirror neuron system will be collected for analysis when the subjects participate in a face processing and emotion recognition task in a MRI scanner before and after the 4-week training session. | an average of 4 weeks | 

 Terms related to the study
=================
Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
-----------------
Mimic facial expression training, Autistic trait, Mirror neuron system, Emotion processing, Emotion recognition