Infant Studies Centre: EEG study

Infant Studies Centre: EEG study

Got a little one between 7 and 11 months?

The UBC Early Development Research Group (ERDG) has a NEW in-person EEG study—and is looking for curious babies (and their grown-ups!) to explore how rhythm might help infants learn!

About the study
Researchers in UBC’s Infant Studies Centre are interested in how babies begin to learn to match words with objects. Specifically, they are interested in how rhythm can help infants learn by engaging their brain activity and visual behaviour. To test this, they use a methodology called EEG to detect infants’ brain activity while they listen to some repeated phrases paired with objects. EEG is completely safe for both babies and adults, and has no harmful effects. It simply records the electrical activity that is always present from the surface of the head. To measure visual behaviour, the eye-tracker will simply detect your infants eye movements using a camera at the bottom of the screen, and a small sticker that will be placed on the front of the EEG cap.

What’s involved
While your baby sits on your lap, the researchers will first put an EEG cap dampened with saline solution on baby’s head. Once the cap is secure, they will play some repeated speech sounds while your baby watches videos of objects. This part of the study with the EEG and eye-tracking will take no more than 15 minutes. Following this , you’ll be asked some questions about your baby’s language and music environment, vocabulary, as well as about some of the sounds they can make. The entire visit will take approximately 60 minutes.

To thank you for your participation, your child will receive an honorary UBC degree certificate and a small gift—and you’ll get cute photos of your baby!

Sign-up!
Call 604-822-6408 or visit edrg.psych.ubc.ca/typical-visit/sign-up-online

SWell Lab: Perimenopause, Health, And SExual Function Study

Are you currently in perimenopause? Share your experiences in the Perimenopause, Health, And SExual Function Study (PHASE) study.

The Sexuality and Well-being lab (SWell Lab) is looking for women and people with ovaries to participate in a ~30 to 45 min online survey in understanding people’s experiences of perimenopause and sexuality.

What is PHASE?
While millions of Canadian women and people with ovaries are currently in their perimenopause/menopause transition, research on this important women’s health issue is severely lacking. The goal of the PHASE study is to better understand the sexual and relational experiences of people experiencing perimenopause/menopause.

What is involved?
You will complete an online survey that will take approximately 30 to 45 minutes. You will be asked to answer some questions about your background, perimenopause/menopause symptoms, sexuality, and relationships.

You may be eligible if you:

  • are between the ages of 42 and 51
  • have a uterus and at least one ovary*
  • have had a menstrual period in the last 12 months and have experienced some irregularities in your menstrual cycle during the last 12 months
  • have experienced some symptoms of perimenopause (e.g., hot flashes, night sweats, sleep problems, bladder problems, joint and muscular discomfort) in the last 12 months
  • are NOT taking hormonal birth control or oral contraceptives
  • are NOT pregnant or nursing
  • are fluent in English
  • are living in Canada or the US

*Inclusivity matters: PHASE is open to people of all genders, bodies, and sexual orientations.
*Individuals who are taking hormone replacement therapy or taking hormones for gender-affirming care are eligible to participate.

Type of compensation
Upon completion of the survey, you will be eligible to receive a $20 CAD (or USD equivalent) Amazon gift card as compensation for your time.

Contact
If you are interested, or have any questions, please contact us at perimenopauseproject@psych.ubc.ca or click here to complete the eligibility survey.

About the SWell Lab
The Sexuality and Well-being lab (SWell Lab) is a research laboratory in the Department of Psychology at the University of British Columbia. They are a group of psychological scientists who conduct multi-method research to identify risk and protective factors contributing to individuals’ and couples’ sexual health and well-being.

B.R.A.I.N. Lab CAPU RISE Study

Do you use cannabis? You may be eligible to participate in a cannabis research study.

The Behavioral Reward Affect + Impulsivity Neuroscience (B.R.A.I.N.) Lab at the University of British Columbia is recruiting research participants for a study investigating the short-term effects of cannabis consumption.

Study title: Cannabis and Polysubstance Use: Response Inhibition and Stress Exposure

Principal Investigator: Dr. Christian Schütz, MD, PhD

What is this study about?

The goal of the study is to assess the effects of cannabis oil in individuals who use recreational cannabis.

Who can participate?

You may be able to participate if you:

  • Are 19-35 years old
  • Have no major physical or mental health diagnoses
  • Have used cannabis

What does participation involve?

The study involves taking cannabis oil during three sessions and completing MRI scans, computer tasks, questionnaires, and biological samples. If you participate, you will attend 5 in-person sessions and complete a daily survey at home for approximately 24 hours. You will receive a paid honorarium and an image of your brain for your participation.

How to get involved?

Complete the screening form to check your eligibility. If you would like to contact the research team directly, email brainlab.cannabis@ubc.ca or call 604-827-4287.

Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Lab: Stress, Cognitive Control, and Repetitive Negative Thinking Study

Are you 18 years or older and fluent in English? Have a cellphone? You might be eligible to participate in this paid study opportunity!

The Depression, Anxiety, and Stress (DAS) Lab is conducting the Stress, Cognitive Control, and Repetitive Negative Thinking Study to investigate how stress affects the way people think and process information.

Purpose of the study:

This study aims to see if biases in cognitive control change before and after stress stimuli and whether biological responses to stress are associated with stress-related changes in cognitive control biases.

Principal Investigator: Dr. Joelle LeMoult

Who can participate?

  • 18+ years old
  • Fluent in English (able to read, speak, and write)
  • Have access to a cellular phone

What does my participation involve?

This study involves 3 tasks, with 1 optional task as a follow-up.

Task 1 (~30 minutes) is an online pre-laboratory session questionnaire about your feelings, behaviours, and thinking patterns.

Task 2 (~2.5 hours) is an in-person laboratory session with 2 computer tasks and 2 verbal tasks, which non-invasively measures psychophysiological variables, like heart rate and skin conductance. During Task 2, you will be asked to provide saliva samples at 5 time points to examine salivary cortisol.

Task 3 (~1 hour) is short surveys about your feelings and behaviours, 8 times a day for 5 consecutive days, using ExpiWell’s phone application. To receive full compensation, you must complete at least 5 daily surveys.

Task 4 is the optional follow-up questionnaire 1 year after Task 2.

Type of compensation:

You will receive $25 for the baseline questionnaire and first session, as well as $15 for completing 5/8 of the daily at-home notification surveys. If you complete Task 4, you will be entered into a draw for a $50 Amazon gift card.

How do I get involved?

If you would like more information or wish to participate in this study, please email us at controlstudy@psych.ubc.ca !

Perceptions of Aging Research in Canada (PARC)

Help UBC researchers better understand how 2SLGBTQIA+ people aged 50 years and above feel and think about their everyday activities and well-being.

The Perceptions of Aging Research in Canada (PARC) Study (Principal Investigator: Dr. Christiane Hoppmann, Health and Adult Development Lab) seeks to gain knowledge about key resources that help maintain wellbeing in everyday life.

Co-Investigators: Christiane Hoppmann, Juhyeong Lee, Yoonseok Choi

Eligibility Requirements: 2SLGBTQIA+ People aged 50 or older who live in Canada

Location of Study: Online

Compensation: Volunteers receive a Loblaws gift card of up to $50

Questions? For more information email parc@psych.ubc.ca or phone 604-822-3549

Ready to participate?
Thanks for your interest in the PARC study! If you want more information about participating in the study, please fill out the form for more details.

B.R.A.I.N. Lab: SCANS: Spontaneous Craving and Neurophenomenology in Smokers

 

Do you smoke cigarettes? You may be eligible to participate in a research study.

The Behavioral Reward Affect + Impulsivity Neuroscience (B.R.A.I.N.) Lab at the University of British Columbia is recruiting participants for a research project assessing a new method to study cigarette smokers’ experience of craving.

Study title: SCANS: Spontaneous Craving and Neurophenomenology in Smokers

Principal Investigator: Dr. Christian Schütz (PI, UBC Psychiatry); Dr. Kalina Christoff Hadjiilieva (UBC Psychology), Stefanie Todesco, PhD Student

Study Description: Cigarettes can be very difficult to quit, with relapse occurring often. Craving, or desire for cigarettes can be strong in people who smoke and make it more difficult to quit. So far, there is little research on craving that studies smokers’ subjective (or, first-person) experience of craving. It is important to understand how smokers experience craving (for example, how strong their craving is) so we can better understand the nature of craving.Who can participate?

Purpose of study: The main purpose of this study is to assess a new method to study cigarette smokers’ experience of craving. To do this, you will be asked questions about your craving regularly while watching film clips.

Eligibility: The study team will determine your eligibility based on your responses to the following survey and through potential follow-up assessments completed via phone or in-person, if required.

You may be able to participate in this study if you:

  1.  Are between 21 and 40 years old at the start of the study
  2.  Smoke ≥10 cigarettes/day for at least 2 years
  3.  Can verify smoking status with a breathalyzer
  4. Willing to abstain from smoking for ≥12 hours prior to 2nd visit
  5. Are not currently undergoing or seeking treatment for smoking
  6. Are able to provide informed consent
  7. Are able to complete assessments in English

You may not be able to participate in this study if you:

  1. Have any diagnosed mental health disorder (current or in the past year) or potential mental health disorder, as determined by the research team
  2. Have other moderate-to-severe substance use disorders (other than nicotine), as determined by the research team
  3. Are using medications that may significantly impact performance on research tasks, as determined by the research team
  4. Have Autism Spectrum Disorder or other cognitive impairment that would affect performance on research tasks, as determined by the research team
  5.  Have a non-correctable clinically significant sensory impairment (e.g., cannot hear well enough to complete an interview)

What does my participation involve?

Participation will include questionnaires, computer tasks, and viewing movie clips. Take this short survey to check your eligibility: https://rc.med.ubc.ca/redcap/surveys/?s=LCP8EK4447KTMC7N 

Type of compensation: Session 1: 1 hour; $20; Session 2: 1.5 hours; $30

Contact: For more information, contact the B.R.A.I.N Lab: https://brainlab.med.ubc.ca/contact

The Solitude Study

Help UBC researchers better understand how partners aged 60 years and above feel and think about their everyday activities and wellbeing.

The Solitude Study (Principal Investigator: Dr. Christiane Hoppmann, Health and Adult Development Lab) seeks to gain knowledge about activities people engage in by themselves and with other people in everyday life.

Co-Investigators: Christiane Hoppmann, Anita DeLongis, Denis Gerstorf, Theresa Pauly

Eligibility Requirements: Participating partners must be 60 years or older, living in Canada, and co-residing.

Location of Study: Online

Compensation: Volunteers receive a President’s Choice online gift card of up to $90

Questions? For more information email solitude@psych.ubc.ca or phone 604-822-3549

Effects of Transcranial Electrical Stimulation (tES) on Perception and Cognition Study

UBC Psychology researchers are recruiting paid participants for a transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) study on perception and cognition. 

The Psychophysics and Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, led by Dr. Lawrence Ward, is looking for volunteers to participate in a study of the effects of transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) on perception and cognition. This will involve viewing and responding to visual stimuli presented on a computer screen while you receive weak electrical stimulation on the scalp. Your eye movements will be monitored. 

Study Purpose

This study’s aim is to better understand human perception and cognition, its underlying brain mechanisms, and how those can be influenced by electrical stimulation of the brain through the scalp.

Study Procedure

The experiment will consist of two 2-hour sessions, and you will receive $10 for each hour of participation ($30 total).

Eligibility

Participants must be between 18 and 35 years of age. To be eligible to participate you must NOT:

  • Have magnetizable metal in your brain/skull
  • Have cochlear implants
  • Have an implanted neurostimulator
  • Have a history of seizures (epilepsy)
  • Be suffering from a neurological or psychiatric disorder
  • Be suffering from a skin disease
  • Be allergic to lidocaine (topical anesthetic)
  • Be pregnant
  • Be taking psychotropic medicines

Interested?

If you are interested in participating or have any questions, please contact Mehak Dhaliwal at wardlab@psych.ubc.ca

UBC Kindness Challenge

The UBC Social Health Lab is recruiting UBC students for a study on spreading kindness within campus residences.

Are you a UBC student currently living in student residence on campus? Want to participate in a kindness challenge? Sign up today!

Study Description:
The UBC Social Health Lab  invites you to participate in a study aimed at spreading kindness within UBC student residences. In this study, you will be invited to a 30-minute lab visit in the UBC Psychology Kenny building, where a researcher will provide instructions for the Kindness Challenge. You will be asked to complete two 10-minute follow-up surveys and perform a few acts of kindness directed at other students in your campus residence over the course of two weeks.

Co-Investigators: Ariya Kosavisutte and Stella Xia

Purpose of the Study:
To examine the impacts of engaging in acts of kindness towards others in your UBC campus residence.

Eligibility Requirements:
Currently living in UBC campus residence
Have a Canadian phone number that you are willing to share with researchers to receive text message reminders

Location of Study: UBC Social Health Lab, Douglas T. Kenny Building, 2136 West Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4 and few online components.

Compensation: 2.5 HSP Credits

Questions? Contact Ariya Kosavisutte at ariyak@student.ubc.ca

Social Perceptions and Life Experiences

Are you a Canadian student? Take part in a small-group discussion study about life as a Canadian student and share your experiences!

The UBC Emotion and Self Lab is recruiting Canadian students for a study on social perceptions and daily experiences as a student in Canada.

Study description:
In this paid study, you will participate in a focus group discussion about aspects of your life as a Canadian student. The discussion will be video-recorded strictly for data coding purposes, and will only be accessible by members of the research team. The discussion should take approximately 15 minutes. After the discussion, you will complete a final survey (10 minutes long) in the same lab session. Overall, the study should take about 25-35 minutes to complete. This study can be taken either in-person or over Zoom.

Co-Investigators: Gabrielle Ibasco and Dr. Jessica Tracy

Purpose of the study:
To understand Canadian students’ social perceptions in relation to events and experiences in their day-to-day lives.

Eligibility requirements:
Must be a Canadian student who is fluent in English. See if you’re eligible and sign up through this quick survey: https://tinyurl.com/emoselflab-study

Location of study:
UBC Emotion & Self Lab, Douglas T. Kenny Building, 2136 West Mall, Vancouver, BC or Zoom (whichever you prefer).

Compensation:

  • For psychology students eligible for HSP credit:
    • For in-person participation: 1.5 HSP credits + $4.00
    • For Zoom participation: 1.0 HSP credit + $4.00
  • For non-HSP students: $10.00

Questions?
Contact the Emotion and Self Lab at emoselflab.study@gmail.com.