Brain zapping and bedside manner: a new way to fight fear and pain?

NCT ID NCT06980090

Recruiting now Knowledge-focused Sponsor: Trustees of Dartmouth College Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tests whether a gentle, non-invasive brain stimulation technique called tTIS can reduce negative emotions like fear and pain. It also looks at how a caregiver's positive or negative words might boost or weaken that effect. About 196 healthy adults will take part, including medical students and doctors. The goal is to understand the brain mechanisms behind expectations and emotions, not to develop an immediate treatment.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: transcranial temporal interference stimulation (tTIS)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could point toward new ways to manage negative emotions like fear and pain using brain stimulation combined with positive expectations.
What could go wrong: This is an early-stage study in healthy volunteers, not patients. It focuses on understanding brain mechanisms, not on developing a treatment. Results may not apply to real-world medical conditions.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Pain

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

EXPECTATIONS NEGATIVE AFFECTIVITY NON-INVASIVE BRAIN STIMULATION PLACEBO EFFECT

Contacts and locations

Locations

Dartmouth College, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences
RECRUITING

Hanover, New Hampshire, 03755, United States

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